asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why patients have to wait so long for ear, nose and throat surgery at Ormskirk hospital; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

The health authorities have identified as the main reasons for the size of the current waiting lists: the limited capacity of the present operating theatres: an overall shortage of acute beds in Ormskirk including those in the ear, nose and throat specialty; and the availability of consultant staff.The North-Western regional health authority and the Lancashire area health authority are both anxious to reduce the waiting lists. A third operating theatre at Ormskirk and District general hospital is expected to be ready next year and it will then be possible to consider increasing the numter of consultant sessions. A major redevelopment of the hospital is planned by the regional health authority for the early 1980s, with a substantial increase in acute beds, theatres and other facilities, including those for the ENT specialty.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children are waiting for ear, nose and throat operations at Ormskirk hospital; and what is the length of time they wait.

The number of children waiting for operations on 30th September 1978 was 68. The lengths of time for which they had been waiting were: