34. Mr. MALONEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the financial position, the National Hospital for the Paralysed and Epileptic in Queen's Square, W.C., is closing; whether he is aware that many other hospitals in London are in a similar condition; that many of these hospitals are making appeals to charity and displaying such notices as "Help Us to Keep Open"; and whether, in view of the professed objects of the Ministry of Health and the repeated declarations of the Prime Minister and others concerning the new social conditions proposed to be introduced by the Coalition Government, he will consider the desirability of giving immediate State aid to such hospitals, which have hitherto relied on charity or, alternatively, to nationalise the medical services, as has been successfully accomplished in Russia with considerable benefits to the working classes?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware that the hospital in question, and two other hospitals in London, are contemplating closing in whole or in part, and the question of giving interim assistance to hospitals in serious financial difficulties is under consideration by the King's Fund. The position of many other London hospitals gives ground for anxiety, and I am considering what measures can be taken to meet the situation without prejudicing the voluntary principle and without losing the services of the voluntary workers, to whose co-operation I attach the greatest value. I have never been in favour of nationalising the voluntary hospitals, and the information available as to the sanitary condition of Russia has not led me to modify my views on this point.
Mr. MALONEWould not the £3,000,000 being spent on tawdry finery by the War Office be better spent if it were appropriated to the hospitals?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat does not affect the question of the existence of voluntary hospitals.