§ 28. Brigadier Raynerasked the Minister of Health what is the estimated annual cost of the clothing which needy patients are allowed to keep on discharge from hospital; what determines need in this connection; and what individual items of clothing are included in the issue.
§ Mr. BevanThe exact cost is not known, but it is small, since it arises only in the few cases where an individual requires an item of clothing on discharge which he cannot afford to buy without help. Need is determined by the hospital.
§ Brigadier RaynerWhen will the right hon. Gentleman realise that the ever-increasing cost of the Health Services is hastening the collapse of the British economy?
§ Mr. BevanThe provision of clothes for patients in hospital was always regarded as an obligation on the public authority. I am distressed to learn that the hon. and gallant Member would turn a patient out naked on the streets rather than provide him with clothes.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the estimated cost is greater or less than the costs incurred for the same service while the hospitals were under private enterprise?
§ Mr. BevanThere was no estimate of what it cost under the voluntary hospital system. That is part of our difficulties—there were no effective records kept in any hospital.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksNonsense.