HC Deb 21 April 1947 vol 436 cc699-700
Mr. Westwood

I beg to move, it page 23, line 31, to leave out Subsection (2), and to insert: (2) The local health authority may recover from any person availing himself of any such service provided under this section as may be prescribed such charge as the authority may determine having regard to the cost of the service: Provided that the authority may remit the said charge in whole or in part if in the circumstances of any particular case they consider it reasonable to do so. This Amendment has been put down to meet the same criticism as was met in relation to Clause 22 (2) by the Amendment which was accepted on recommittal. The new Subsection (2) makes it clear that charges can be recovered only in respect of services which have been prescribed in regulations which will be subject to annulment by Parliament. The kind of services for which a charge might be made are in the supplying of extra foodstuffs, extra fuel, blankets, beds and bedding. Possibly also if night sanatoria are provided for convalescence, particularly for patients convalescing from tuberculosis who are well enough, provided their sleeping accommodation at night is healthy and adequate, to be discharged from hospital and to work during the day for an earning wage, some charge might have to be made in respect of the board and lodgings so provided. With that explanation. I trust the House will accept the Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.