asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present waiting list for surgery in the Northumberland area; and how this compares with the national position.

At 30th September 1978, there were 1,290 patients on the waiting list for surgery in Northumberland. At 31st March 1978, the latest date at which national figures are available, there were 1,244 patients waiting for surgery in Northumberland compared with 575,249 nationally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for reducing the size of the waiting list for surgery in the Northumberland area; and if he will make a statement.

Sixteen additional beds are due to open shortly as Ashington hospital and consideration is being given to the possibility of providing further surgical beds on the same site. A third consultant surgeon has been appointed for the eastern part of the area and will take up his duties on 1st April 1979.