To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will conduct an urgent review of national health service hospital security arrangements.

No. Appropriate security arrangements for the protection of both patients and staff is the responsibility of and can best be determined by health authorities in the light of their knowledge of their premises and the degree of access necessary for patients and their visitors. I understand that the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts is planning to hold a security conference next year to look at security matters in the national health service. It is proposed that delegates from each health authority are invited.