§ 41. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Pensions if he can make a statement as to the proposal to close down Highbury Hospital, Birmingham; and whether the disabled ex-service men who will be transferred to another hospital will be given similar treatment and allowed similar privileges as are now afforded at Highbury Hospital?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)Owing to the steady decline in the number of patients in the Highbury Hospital—who now number less than 60— it has been decided, in agreement with the hospital committee, that the maintenance of this institution as a Ministry Hospital can no longer be justified, and 263 it will accordingly be closed at the end of December. The number of men still requiring institutional treatment at the end of the year will be very small and they will be given treatment in a Ministry or a civil hospital, as their cases require, and will enjoy the same privileges as are enjoyed by other pensioners undergoing treatment in those institutions.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLECan the Minister say whether any use is to be made of this hospital, or whether it is to be shut down and its value practically thrown away, when so many hospitals have to be built?
§ Major TRYONI should like to have notice of that question, as the hospital is being run by a committee and not by the Ministry.