60. Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to heavy taxation and the increase in the cost of living, large numbers of the middle classes are unable to afford the expense of treatment and nursing in their own homes should illness overtake them; whether he is aware that they are unable and unwilling to obtain admission to and further overcrowd the large hospitals maintained by voluntary contribution for the pre-war poorer classes of the community; and what action does he propose to take to meet their necessities?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am fully aware of the present pressure upon the voluntary hospitals and the general question of the provision of hospital treatment has for some time past been engaging the attention of the Medical Consultative Council from whom I am expecting a Report shortly, I am not yet in a position to make any statement.