asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing for each of the years 1975–76 to 1979–80 the number of private beds in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland, by specialisation.

Since 1 April 1969, no specific beds in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland have been set aside for use by private patients; instead, private patients within the number of authorised pay beds allowed are accommodated in any suitable bed in a hospital to which such authorisation relates. Authorisations are not granted for particular specialisations.The following table sets out the number of pay beds authorised in Scotland in each calendar year within the period: