§ 22. Mr. Manuelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of beds available in Scotland for aged and infirm patients; and the total number of beds which would be necessary to accommodate adequately the above patients.
§ Miss HerbisonFive thousand nine hundred and thirty-six beds are available in local authority establishments for the care and attention of aged and infirm persons, and 3,000 additional beds in voluntary and private establishments. Local authorities have estimated future needs as 5,600 additional beds.
§ Mr. ManuelI thank my hon. Friend for her answer, but is she aware that it gives rise to another question? For many years there has been a definite shortage of beds for aged and infirm people. Will she arrange some consultations between 796 the local authorities and the regional hospital boards in those areas so that beds may be made available to enable the old people to have the attention they require?
§ Miss HerbisonI understand that there is always consultation between those bodies. We are always worried about the numbers of old people who cannot find beds, and I assure my hon. Friend that we are doing all that we can.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotDoes the hon. Lady realise that this is a matter of great urgency? Frankly, there is not a single hon. Member for Scotland who has not had some very painful cases of old people who are not able to get into hospitals just now, and it is an increasing difficulty.
§ Miss HerbisonI can assure the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that this is not something new in Scotland, and that right from the beginning we have considered this as a matter of great urgency.
§ Mr. CarmichaelCan my hon. Friend state how many authorities are meeting the requirements and give the names of the authorities who are not so far facing up to this very serious responsibility?
§ Miss HerbisonI could not give those facts without notice. I can say that, besides the accommodation already provided, an additional 30 homes to provide accommodation for another 790 persons are under consideration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotDoes not the hon. Lady admit that this is becoming much more serious than it has previously been, and that it is much more serious under the regional hospital boards than it was when it was the responsibility of the local authorities?
§ Miss HerbisonI should in no way accept the suggestion made by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotThen perhaps the hon. Lady will ask the Medical Officer of Health for Glasgow.
§ Mr. SpeakerI feel inclined to suggest that Scottish Questions should go to the Scottish Grand Committee.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotOn a point of order. We have only just reached Scottish Questions. Half an hour was taken for the first 14 Questions. I do not think 797 it can be said that these important Scottish Questions are being unduly prolonged.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have forgotten how many Scottish Questions we have had, but each one has taken a tremendously long time. After all, Scotland is only part of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. CarmichaelFurther to that point of order. It should be understood in the House that Scotland has only one Minister to answer for seven or eight Departments—[HON. MEMBERS: "Three Ministers."]—whereas every Department in England has its separate representative in the House. I say that we are entitled to protest that we are not getting our full share.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a point of order for me. It is a matter for the Government.
§ Mr. M. MacMillanEnglish Nationalism!