HC Deb 06 May 1954 vol 527 c576
43 Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of Section 5 pay-beds were unoccupied in the hospitals under his direction during each of the last three years.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I regret that no figures are available before July, 1952. For the periods July to December, 1952, January to June, 1953, and July to December, 1953, the figures for non-mental hospitals are 34–5, 30–4 and 34–5 respectively.

Mr. Hastings

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that these figures show a terrible waste of beds? Large numbers of waiting non-paying patients could quite well use these beds if the Minister would give instructions that they should be used, and such instructions were carried out.

Mr. Macleod

I did that in August last year, and the results of it are not apparent in these figures. I hope that they will very substantially reduce the percentage of non-occupied beds.

Mr. Marquand

Can the Minister say whether this whole question comes within the terms of reference of the Guillebaud Committee?

Mr. Macleod

Without having the terms of reference in mind, I see no reason why the Guillebaud Committee should not make recommendations on that.