§ 27. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Health the cost to the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board of the convalescent treatment by contractual arrangement for 1954–55 in lieu of beds available in the region.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe answer is £25,203.
§ Dame Irene WardWill my right hon. Friend explain why his predecessor bought or acquired the Prudhoe Memorial Nursing Home and why my right hon. Friend is allowing that building to stand unoccupied and derelict and deteriorating? Is not this the most absurd method of finance? Would it not be better to put the Prudhoe Memorial Nursing Home into operation? Would my right hon. Friend kindly explain why the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board has no beds for convalescents and why we have to send our patients out? Is not this a very bad administrative arrangement indeed?
§ Mr. MacleodI should be delighted to explain some, indeed I hope all, these matters to my hon. Friend, but they do not arise from this Question.