§ 46. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Defence how many staff are employed at the Hertford British Hospital in Paris; what has been the average number of patients treated per week in the hospital since it was reopened in May, 1957; and what is the weekly cost of maintaining the hospital.
§ Mr. SandysThe number of staff is 100. The weekly average number of patients is 74. Since the hospital opened less than a year ago, I cannot give a reliable figure of cost.
§ Mr. JegerDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that this hospital is an economic proposition? Would it not be far better to make arrangements with either a French or American hospital in Paris for the treatment of British patients, 1217 or would it not be even better to fly such patients back home for treatment in Britain?
§ Mr. SandysIt is difficult to say of a hospital what is an economic proposition. I do not know exactly what the hon. Member has in mind. Whether it is run economically is another matter and something which is now before the Public Accounts Committee, and I think that the House will wish me to await that Committee's Report before commenting.