asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to reach agreement on a common waiting list for patients suffering considerable pain and discomfort but for whom treatment is regarded by the medical profession as non-urgent.

I wrote to health authorities on 19 December about common waiting lists. A copy of my letter was placed in the Library of the House. I will be considering steps for the extension of common waiting lists on receipt of the reports which I requested from authorities by the beginning of July 1979.