§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSasked if the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received a copy of a joint resolution passed by the boards of management of the four voluntary medical hospitals in the city of Sheffield, calling upon the Government so to amend the National Insurance Bill that the continued existence of voluntary hospitals may be safeguarded financially and their efficiency as curative institutions and schools of medicine may be maintained and developed; and whether he proposes to take any and what steps to safeguard the interests concerned?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part I would refer the hon. Member to the Debate that took place on Clause 12 on 31st July.
§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSSupposing that, notwithstanding any contributions made to these institutions by the authorities in charge of the benefits, there is still a deficiency, will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the desirability of giving these institutions power to make application to the State for assistance?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPErose.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must call the attention of hon. Members to the fact that if there is a tendency to abuse the privilege of asking supplementary questions they may endanger the retention of that privilege.