§ 80. Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men, disabled by the Great War, are still in military hospitals; how many have been discharged within the last year; and what is to be the future of the military hospital at Orpington?
Mr. ROBERTSMilitary hospitals are not used by my Department. Disabled ex-service officers and men needing treatment are provided for in hospitals which belong to the Ministry or in which accommodation is secured at a capitation rate. The number of patients (apart from cases of mental affection in public institutions) was, at the end of last month, approximately 4,700. The hospital population fluctuates considerably in the course of the year, the aggregate number of discharges, which is about 18,000, being but slightly in excess of the number of admissions. In regard to the last part of the question, no change in the position or use of the Ministry's hospital at Orpington is at present contemplated.