§ 4. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many hospital beds in the Federation of Malaya and in Singapore have had to be closed owing to the shortage of nurses; and why the salary scale recommended by the Trusted Commission has not been implemented.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsIn the Federation, 318 beds have had to be closed. In Singapore no beds which had been opened since the liberation have had to be closed. The new salary scales have been implemented in all but a few cases which are in process of adjustment.
§ Mr. GammansCan the hon. Gentleman say what can be done to get these beds reopened? Is it a question of a shortage of local nurses or a shortage of sisters recruited in this country?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI am told both.