asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total number of hospital beds in the Essex area for each of the main specialties; how many in each of these were not in use in May 1979, to achieve economies in expenditure; and how many further beds in each case have been taken out of service or are scheduled to be taken out of service since that date for any reason;(2) if he will list the reductions made or planned in services to patients in the Harlow district of the Essex area health authority since May 1979; and if he will make a statement.

The average daily number of available hospital beds in the Essex Area Health Authority for each of the main specialties as at 31 December 1978 is as follows:

General medicine	729·8
Paediatrics	122·0
Infectious diseases	22·7
Chest diseases	97·8
Dermatology	13·7
Neurology	47·8
Rehabilitation	69·4
Rheumatology	27·7
Geriatrics	1,442·6
Young disabled	67·0
General surgery	741·5
Ear nose and throat	109·4
Traumatic and orthopaedic	463·8
Opthalmology	93·2
Radiotherapy	63·9
Plastic surgery	67·1
Thoracic surgery	6·0
Dental surgery	35·1
Gynaecology	234·6
Obstetrics	419·9
Special care babies	97·4
Psychiatry, children	12·3
Mental handicap	2,211·1
Mental illness	2,143·9
GP maternity	117·6
GP other	211·8

Area health authorities are responsible for deciding what temporary changes in provision should be made either to keep within the available resources or for other reasons and such changes are not routinely notified to the Department. The hon. Member may like to seek further information direct from the Essex area health authority.