asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are on the hospital waiting lists in each of Devon's four district health authorities, in each of the categories of patient for which this information is available.

For the latest centrally available information I refer the right hon. Member to "Hospital In-Patient Waiting List, England at 30 September 1986, National Regional and District Summaries," copies of which have been placed in the Library. For more recent figures he may wish to write to the chairmen of the district health authorities in Devon.