§ 42. Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Southport Convalescent Hospital is being taken over by the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board; that this Convalescent Hospital was built in 1883 by those engaged in the cotton trade for the benefit of those people engaged in the cotton districts in various parts of Lancashire and Cheshire; and if he will review this matter with a view to it being retained as a Convalescent Hospital under its present management.
§ Mr. BevanI am satisfied that the transfer is necessary for the new hospital and specialist services, but I have drawn the attention of the Regional Board to the need for bearing in mind the Hospital's present character in arranging for its future use and management.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that before the war this convalescent home dealt with something of the order of 9,000 cases a year and that this action will cause considerable concern in Lancashire and Yorkshire and is 1447 not calculated to improve the chances of getting people into the undermanned industry of cotton?
§ Mr. BevanI do not agree with that observation one little bit. It depends entirely on the way in which the hospital arrangements are made by the Regional Board. The right hon. Gentleman is unduly pessimistic.