§ 70. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Minister of Pensions how many orderlies are employed in Ministry hospitals; and whether there is one orderly for every six patients?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere are 1,879 orderlies employed in Ministry hospitals and convalescent centres where there are 13,644 in-patients; but less than 50 per cent. of these are employed on nursing duties or in the wards. The remainder of the orderlies so termed are merely employés engaged on general domestic duties, e.g., as messengers, sanitary men, store-men, gatemen, dining-room orderlies, gardeners, and ambulance drivers, and in the out-patient departments, where 17,861 patients are being treated.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAre we to understand that no reduction is proposed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am trying to reduce as many as I can.
Lieut.-Colonel.J. WARDWill the right hon. Gentleman take care that in any proposed reductions he does not make the life of these poor inmates worse than it is to-day?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI hope the House will believe that I am very careful about that.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman bearing that point in view in closing down the Shepherds Bush Orthopædic Hospital?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise here.