§ Mr. CAIRNSasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an order has been issued to close the 1st Northern General Hospital, Territorial Force, and 1411W the Gosforth War Hospital; if so, will he see that the orders are withdrawn, as it will greatly increase the burden of the already overworked civil hospitals; is there any reason why the Gosforth War Hospital, for the demobilisation of which there has been no local demand, should not be retained for six months as a standby hospital for soldier and pensioner patients; and is he aware that at the civil hospitals there are long waiting lists, as some hundreds are waiting, owing to soldiers and sailors being treated first during the War?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe First Northern General Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, situated in the Armstrong College of the Durham University, is to be closed shortly at the request of the Board of Agriculture and the Board of Education. The exact date of closure is dependent on the extention of the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, being ready for occupation; the patients will be moved to this latter hospital. By the Gosforth War Hospital I presume the hon. Members refers to the Northumberland War Hospital. This hospital is to be closed by the beginning of May at the request of the Lunacy Board of Control. Arrangements are also being made to absorb the patients from this hospital in other military hospitals. The evacuation of beds occupied by military patients in civil hospitals is progressing as speedily as circumstances permit.