§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the230W Government's target of reducing admissions to hospitals of people suffering from asthma on the health of asthma sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [130480]
§ Mr. DenhamThe total number of hospital admissions where asthma was the cause has declined over the last seven years. In 1993–94 a total of 92,820 episodes were recorded for asthma, compared with 69,824 admissions in 1998–99. This reduction has taken place during a period when the total number of emergency admissions for other conditions has continued to increase.