HC Deb 09 October 1941 vol 374 cc1096-7
21. Miss Eleanor Rathbone

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many voluntary hospitals are seriously hampered, and some may even have to close down wholly or partly, owing to lack of ancillary staff such as stokers, porters and wardmaids; and as the work of these hospitals is work of national importance he will assist them by announcing this and by devising, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, some method of aiding the hospitals to obtain the necessary staff?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I have for some time been concerned with the difficulties to which the hon. Lady refers, and I have recently discussed them with representatives of voluntary hospitals. Domestic work in hospitals is recognised as one of the services of most urgent national importance for which recruitment is to be carried out by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, and I have issued a poster for circulation to hospitals to make this importance clear to those already employed in hospitals.

Miss Rathbone

Is there any means of directing the men and women who can be called up under the regulations to the hospitals?

Mr. Brown

I would not put it in that form. As the hon. Member knows, there are a great many considerations, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I are both aware of the urgency of this problem, not only in hospitals but elsewhere.

Sir F. Fremantle

Will my right hon. Friend ask the Minister of Labour whether those who have been rejected from national service on the ground of deafness can be utilised for this work where they could be very useful?

Mr. Brown

I will consider that.

Mr. Sorensen

In any negotiations with the voluntary hospitals, will my right hon. Friend insist on proper wage standards and conditions prevailing in these hospitals?