asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total of amenity beds in National Health Service hospitals at the last convenient date and the number for the three preceding years; and whether, as private pay beds are phased out, she will encourage health authorities to increase amenity beds provision.

The numbers available in England for 1971–74 were 3,677, 3,600, 3,621, 3,326. We are committed to making privacy more widely available to patients in NHS hospitals who need it or desire it. Phasing out of pay beds should help to make this facility more widely available. Meanwhile, my right hon. Friend is prepared to authorise any single room or other suitable accommodation for use as an amenity bed at the request of the appropriate health authority.