§ 1. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men who are still receiving hospital treatment for wounds or other disabilities arising out of War service, giving the separate figures for in-door and out-door patients; and what has been the decrease in numbers owing to deaths and on account of cures, respectively, since 1st January, 1928?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)At the 31st March last there were 11,785 in-patients in institutions of all kinds at the charge of the Ministry (including cases in mental hospitals) and 2,688 cases in attendance for out-patient treatment. These figures are lower than the corresponding numbers of patients under treatment fifteen months earlier by 1,360 in-patients and 2,142 out-patients. I have no precise information 1687 as to the extent to which this decline has been brought about by the two causes mentioned, but I may say that, while the numbers under treatment fluctuate considerably, there has been a persistent decline in the demand for hospital treatment for several years past.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCan the right hon. and gallant Member give the number of persons who are referred to as mental patients?
§ Major TRYONSix thousand.