asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration has been given to the representations of the Scottish Joint Consultants' Committee concerning the decision of the Health Services Board in London to withdraw all private beds from the hospitals at Oban, Nairn, Brechin, Elgin and on the Isle of Arran, where there are not sufficient facilities for private practice reasonably available to meet the demand in these areas.

I understand that the Committee made its views known to the Board during the formulation of the proposals. When the Board's proposals are put to my right hon. Friend he is bound by statute to give effect to them. Over the four years from 1st April 1972 to 31st March 1976 there were only 13 private patient days in all these five hospitals taken together.