73. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the protests made at Newcastle City Council meeting, on the 26th instant, against his refusal to sanction the erection of a building as an operating theatre more heavily protected than for blast and splinter, and which, in times of war emergency, would require to be used by two-thirds of the operating surgeons, assistants and anaesthetists; and whether he is aware that, in the opinion of the city council and of the surgeons concerned, there should not be concentrated in this small and lightly-protected building this valuable personnel liable to be destroyed by a heavy bomb falling within a short distance of it; and what steps he proposes in the matter?
§ Mr. ElliotI have seen reports of a discussion on this matter at a meeting of the city council. I have not yet given a decision, but as stated in a letter sent to the town clerk on the day before the meeting I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on the issues of policy involved. I am anxious to find a practicable solution of this difficult problem, the technical aspects of which have been fully discussed by my officers with members and officers of the council, and I will communicate further with the council as soon as possible.
Mr. AdamsDo we understand that the Minister is giving sympathetic consideration to this question of approving of a heavily-protected shelter being used as an operating theatre?
§ Mr. ElliotI am looking sympathetically into the matter, and am still examining it with a desire to find a practical solution.