asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the impact of the consultants' work-to-contract on patients in the Southampton area.

The effects of the consultants' industrial action are difficult to isolate, as waiting times for hospital appointments and admissions can be influenced by a number of factors. In the Southampton and South-West Hampshire district, since the start of industrial action by consultants, there has been a general increase in waiting times for out-patient appointments and for non-emergency admissions in most specialties. The extent of the increase has varied according to the specialty. Waiting lists have lengthened overall by about 5 per cent.