asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds in the National Health Service have been earmarked specifically for drug addicts in each year since 1979.

In-patient beds are not set aside specifically for the treatment of drug addicts and most people admitted for the treatment for drug misuse are treated in general psychiatric wards. The number of beds available in England in special in-patient units for the treatment of drug misuse during the years 1979–85 is given in the table.