To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total cost of equipment such as crutches and walking frames which are not returned to hospitals by patients; and if he will make it a requirement for those using this equipment to pay a refundable deposit before being allowed to remove it from hospital grounds.

The cost to the NHS of unreturned equipment is not collected centrally. As with other services, it is the provider units themselves who are responsible for managing effectively the supply and control of such equipment.