To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking in the light of the report of the Audit Commission to increase the use of operating theatres in National Health Service hospitals; and if he will a statement.

The report by the National Audit Office on the use of operating theatres in the NHS is being studied by the Department together with that from the confidential inquiry into perioperative deaths to see what further initiatives by the Department would be helpful. The five district health authorities studied by the NAO have told us of a number of steps they have taken locally to improve utilisation.