asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has received that hospitals other than those in the South-West Surrey Health District will be obliged to ban all operations except emergencies in order to eliminate overspending by the end of March.

None. I am advised that emergency operations account for approximately 80 per cent. of the total performed in the two hospitals concerned in the South-West Surrey Health District.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he can give of the number of hospitals which will have to ban all operations except emergencies in order to eliminate overspending by the end of March.

None, other than the two hospitals referred to in my other reply today.