HC Deb 03 November 2003 vol 412 cc531-2W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 2 October 2003,Offical Report, col. 1334W, on medical equipment how many portable oxygen cylinders have been purchased for (a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each NHS trust under the contract; and if he will make a statement. [132508]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The national contract is for the rental of portable oxygen cylinders, rather than the purchase. In 2002, a review revealed 18,000 cylinders from the contract were in place in National Health Service trusts in England. Information is not held centrally for each NHS trust or strategic health authority.