asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their best estimate of:

The information (i) is as follows:(1) Total number of in-patient beds (ii) available in:

(a) NHS:	355,979
(b) Private Sector	31,875

(2) Total number of in-patient beds (ii) in the NHS in each of the following categories:

(a) Geriatric	54,947
(b) Long-stay (iii)	198,586
(c) Mental illness	87,396
(d) Mental handicap	48,863

Information is not available for the private sector.(3) Number of beds in private institutions occupied by NHS patients under contractual arrangements as at 31st December 1980:

(a) Geriatric	924
(b) Long-stay (iii)	2,409
(c) Mental illness	111
(d) Mental Handicap	774

(4) Percentage of NHS beds available to patients in the following categories:

(a) Geriatric	15·4 per cent.
(b) Long-stay (iii)	55·78 per cent.
(c) Mental illness and Mental Handicap	38·3 per cent.

This information is not available for the private sector.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state their attitude to each of the following proposals at the UN Second Special Disarmament Conference:

Yes. The Government mean to play a full and active part at the second United Nations Special Session on Disarmament where these and other topics will be discussed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have studied the report of the inter-party parliamentary delegation from the Irish Republic which visited E1 Salvador and neighbouring countries in January 1982, and what is their response to its conclusions and especially to the statements that there are 400, 000 refugees and displaced persons out of a population of some 5 million and that the main section of Land Reform has been deferred for 10 years; and whether they will more actively support the efforts being made to bring about negotiations between the various parties concerned.

The report has not been formally transmitted to Her Majesty's Government, but we have obtained a copy and studied it. As the House is aware, Her Majesty's Government deplore the violence in E1 Salvador which has driven so many citizens from their homes.Her Majesty's Government hope that, following the large measure of success of he recent elections, on which the United Kingdom observers have reported, and despite the difficulties being experienced presently in the formation of a new Government, the new Administration will find it possible to restore law and order, continue the programme of reform and eventually ensure the participation of all the major political parties in the democratic process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the full report of the United Kingdom observers sent to the recent elections in El Salvador will be available.

A full report has now been received by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House today, pending its publication in the Command Paper series.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps are being taken to keep essential personnel in the Royal Navy who would otherwise be entitled to leave the service during the Falkland Islands operation.

Steps are being taken to extend the service of those Royal Navy and Royal Marine officers who are nearing the end of their commissions but who are needed for the current operation. In addition we are invoking the powers under Section 4 of the Armed Forces Act 1966, and under Schedule 7, paragraph 4A of the Army Act 1955 to retain in service ratings of the Royal Navy and Royal Marine other ranks for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date they would otherwise be entitled to be discharged or fall to be transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve. The reasons for these actions, beyond ensuring the continuance in service of all essential personnel, is to protect their status as members of Her Majesty's armed forces. We intend to use these powers only in the case of those who are needed for this operation, and to release them as soon as they can be spared. So far 25 naval ratings and 3 Royal Marines who would otherwise have left full time service during April and May 1982 are being retained. The appropriate report to Parliament has been made and copies are available in the Printed Paper Office and in the Library. Further such reports will be made as necessary.House adjourned at five minutes before eight o'clock.