§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that instructions have been issued to the patients in the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Grangethorpe, Manchester, that from 27th July onwards they are to surrender their civil clothing and wear hospital blues; and whether, seeing that the men, as civilians, have objections to the wearing of an uniform that distinguishes them from other civilians, he will withdraw the order and allow the men to wear their own clothing, as is the custom in the civil hospitals of the country?
§ Major TRYONI find that a notice has been posted in the hospital referred to, which was primarily designed to secure that the private clothing of patients, previously kept in the several wards, should be deposited for greater convenience and safety in a central store. Incidentally, the notice called attention to the rule which is in force throughout all Ministry hospitals, that patients are expected to wear special hospital clothing. This rule, which has been repeatedly considered, has been found both by myself and my predecessors to be of material advantage in the interests of the patients and of their treatment. I see no reason, therefore, to withdraw the instruction.