§ 21. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to mitigate the overcrowding of the hospitals and the pressure of work on general practitioners, which is resulting in a decline in the quality and status of general practice.
§ Mr. MarquandI do not accept the suggestion in the second part of the Question. Hospital and specialist services, including out-patient services, are being extended as resources allow. I have done what is possible to discourage unnecessary demands on general practitioners.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Minister aware that his answer is so feeble that I cannot find words to put a supplementary?