asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many body-scanners are in use in National Health Service hospitals, by region; and how many were funded by the National Health Service and how many privately funded.

The general purpose scanners in use are listed below. Four were wholly funded by the National Health Service, 10 were privately funded in whole or in part and one is on loan by the manufacturer. A further seven are awaiting delivery.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department ever makes any investigations to ensure gifts to the National Health Service by private donors are not organised as a marketing exercise by the manufacturers; and if he will make a statement in respect of bodyscanners.

My Department, when consulted, investigates proposed gifts of medical equipment, including general purpose scanners, to ensure that they are technically suitable for the intended use. I know of no occasion when the manufacturers concerned have not acted with propriety.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received any representations from community health councils about the funding arrangements of bodyscanners in National Health Service hospitals.

I am aware of only one such approach. The funding of bodyscanners is a matter for health authorities within the financial resources available to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the bodyscanners in use in National Health Service hospitals are the most up to date available.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy in respect of replacing capital equipment such as body scanners which have been privately funded in National Health Service hospitals.

The general purpose scanners privately funded in National Health Service hospitals are recent acquisitions and the question of replacement will not arise for some years. When it does, whether in respect of these or any other types of equipment, it will be for health authorities to consider.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the capital cost to the National Health Service of a bodyscanner; and what is the annual revenue expenditure.

The capital cost of a general purpose scanner varies from £250,000 to £400,000 depending on the manufacturer and the technical features required; the annual revenue expenditure ranges from approximately £60,000 to £80,000 according to the type and extent of usage.