asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what percentage the average daily charge for use of a National Health Service pay bed and the average charge for private use of a National Health Service operating theatre have risen since 1979; and if he will express the increase (a) in gross terms, (b) after allowance for movement in the retail price index and (c) after allowing for movement in National Health Service pay and prices.

Charges for private patient pay beds are related to the class of hospital in which treatment is given. The percentages which follow are derived from averages covering all classes and take account of the relative use made by private patients in each class.In money terms, pay beds charges increased by 101 per cent. and theatre charges by 80 per cent. over the period. Relative to movements in the RPI these represented increases of 32 and 18 per cent., respectively. I see no sensible purpose in using the other indicator for inflation suggested by the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for each region and for each year since 1979 the total amount health authorities have written off because of private patients not paying their bills.

We have not collected this information centrally, but we have arranged for it to be included in the annual accounts of health authorities from 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for each region and for each year since 1979 the income from private patients in National Health Service hospitals (a) in gross terms, (b) revalued by the retail price index and (c) revalued by the National Health Service pay and prices index.

The gross figures and the figures revalued by the retail prices index are shown in the following tables. I see no sensible reason for revaluing the figures by the other indicator referred to.