§ 31. Mr. ASTORasked how it is proposed to make the hundreds of empty beds in the Metropolitan Asylums Board available for the institutional treatment of consumptive insured persons in London?
§ Mr. BURNSAs I have already informed the hon. Member, negotiations are proceeding between the London County Council and the Metropolitan Asylums Board with a view to seeing if it is possible to utilise some of the accommodation of the latter body for the purpose mentioned in the question Nothing has 802 yet been settled, but I understand that the matter is being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
§ Mr. ASTORMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the negotiations began before 15th July when the sanatoria benefit began?
§ Mr. BURNSI could not say the exact date of the beginning of the negotiations, but I know for the last week or so both bodies have been doing everything that could be reasonably expected of them to come to an arrangement.
§ Lord BALCARRESWill it not be necessary to have legislation to bring that into force?
§ Mr. BURNSIt is possible that short of legislation the two bodies can come to an arrangement by which certain beds, or, perhaps, an institution or two may be released for this purpose.