HC Deb 21 January 1918 vol 101 cc655-6
21. Sir HENRY HARRIS

asked the Pensions Minister whether he has come to any agreement with the London civilian hospitals as to the terms and conditions on which discharged disabled men will be treated by these institutions; and, if so, whether he will have such terms published immediately?

Mr. HODGE

Arrangements have now been made with both London and provincial hospitals, and the terms will be communicated to all Local War Pensions Committees forthwith.

22. Sir H. HARRIS

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware of the difficulty which is being experienced in London in obtaining in-patient treatment for discharged disabled men, which is largely due to the sudden withdrawal by the War Office of facilities for such treatment in military hospitals; whether he is aware that many beds in civil hospitals are occupied by soldiers; and whether he proposes to take steps to have these beds made available for discharged disabled men and to supplement the inadequate accommodation in London, having regard to the claims of ordinary civilians?

Mr. HODGE

I am fully aware of the difficulties referred to, and have represented the matter to the War Office. In response to my representations it has been arranged that the War Office, recognising the prior claim of the Ministry to the accommodation in civil hospitals, will refrain from requisitioning further beds in those hospitals, and, further, will release the accommodations now occupied by them as rapidly as possible.

Sir H. HARRIS

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the matter is a very urgent one, and that a considerable number of men are now waiting for treatment, some of them have only been discharged from military hospitals on the express understanding that they would receive further treatment from these hospitals, which is now denied them; will he also answer the last part of the question: "Whether he proposes to take steps to have these beds made available for discharged disabled men and to supplement the inadequate accommodation in London, having regard to the claims of ordinary civilians," and quite apart from the military beds?

Mr. HODGE

I may say, in reply to the hon. Gentleman, that I have just instituted a Medical Department, presided over by a very eminent surgeon. They have the whole of the matter in hand. I am hopeful, under their expert advice, that the difficulties referred to will be rapidly swept away.

Sir W. COLLINS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that more than 1,600 beds have, since the beginning of the War, been added to the accommodation of the voluntary hospitals in London in order to meet the case of the admission of military patients?