HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc909-10W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 7 June 2004,Official Report, column 160W, on medical instruments, how much of the figure shown for each year was spent on (a) hildebrandt vaginal irrigating tubes, (b) suction curettes diameter 28 cm graduated, (i) 4 mm, (ii) 6 mm, (iii) 8 mm, (iv) 10 mm, (v) 12 mm and (vi) 14 mm and (c) hose connections curved, 11 mm diameter; and if he will make a statement. [179298]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Information is only held on vacuum curettes at 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm graduation. This is shown in the table. The information on the other instruments requested is not held centrally. The figures provided are based on instrument sales via the national health service purchasing and supply national contracts. These contracts are not mandatory, and therefore some NHS trusts buy instruments from other sources, as possibly are the other instruments in which the hon. Member has expressed an interest. These figures do not, therefore, cover the total NHS spend.

Amount (£)
2001–01 26,737
2001–02 26,525
2002–03 28,102
2003–04 31,265