Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Pensions the number of staff employed in the area war pension offices outside London and in the Ministry of Pensions hospitals and clinics in the provinces, Scotland, and Northern Ireland; what offices and hospitals and clinics it is proposed to close this financial year; and when the guide to area offices, etc., is likely to be re-issued in an up-to-date form?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThe staff employed in area offices outside London numbers 1,471, and that employed in Ministry hospitals and clinics in the provinces, in Scotland and Northern Ireland numbers 1,647. Arrangements have had to be made to vacate two hospitals, namely, Craigleith, Edinburgh, and Castle Leazes, Newcastle-on-Tyne, which were too large for our requirements and the accommodation of which was otherwise required, provision being made for the patients in substituted institutions of the Ministry at Edenhall and Dunston Hill. Apart from these cases it is not possible to say what local offices, clinics or hospitals it may be found necessary to close during the present financial year. An official address list of area offices, etc., will be issued as soon as this is found practicable.