asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the consultants' work to rule is having on the length of the waiting time at Northampton General Hospital for out-patients' appointments, and admission to hospital for urgent and non-urgent operations.

Since 2nd January when the hospital consultants started industrial action there has been a significant reduction in the number of out-patient appointments at Northampton General Hospital. It is not, however, possible to give an indication of the effect on waiting time for appointments as this is influenced by a number of factors and varies according to speciality.There has also been a reduction in the number of surgical patients admitted from the waiting lists but it is not yet possible to give a realistic appraisal of the increased waiting time for non-urgent cases. All patients requiring operations urgently are being admitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the consultants' industrial action has had on waiting lists and waiting time in the Mersey Area Health Authority.

The situation varies between districts and specialities but generally waiting times and waiting lists are increasing.