asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will set up a working party to investigate complaints that those who go to a consultant as a private patient are admitted to National Health Service hospital beds for non-urgent operations quicker than those who seek the appointment with the consultant through the normal health service machinery.

My hon. Friend will be aware of the Government's proposals put to the profession for introducing common waiting lists in NHS hospitals for NHS and private patients. Agreement on these would, of course, cover the points mentioned by my hon. Friend.