asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish the definitions of the descriptive titles "community hospital ", "support hospital ", and "district general hospital ", indicating differences by specific provision in each speciality and bed provision for stated purpose and such other details as are included in the Department's definitions.

The functional content of acute general hospitals and community hospitals is set out in circulars already published by my Department. These are DS85 / 75, HSC(IS)75, HC(78)12 and "The Way Forward ". I shall write to my hon. Friend about this.