asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement on her policy regarding private beds in National Health Service hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the latest position regarding private beds in NHS hospitals.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will waive payment by patients in private beds for days when the services available to patients are affected by industrial action.

No. These charges are made on a statutory basis and have to be settled by reference to total annual costs. Once laid down they have to be applied unchanged for a period of 12 months.