asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what research the statistics were based which are listed in the leaflets describing the developments the National Health Service has made under his administration which are to be sent to hospitals and health centres; and what consultations he had with statisticians in the National Health Service regions before compiling the information contained in them.

The leaflet summarises information given in the "Health Service in England: Annual Report 1984" (HMSO) and is based on readily available data routine collected by the Department.