HC Deb 04 April 1940 vol 359 cc333-4W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that partly as a result of the reservation of beds, the number available for civilian cases, and, consequently, for teaching purposes, has diminished to one-third of the normal complement, with the result that medical education in London has been disorganised; and whether he proposes, in view of the reorganisation he has effected, to review the whole position in the near future?

Mr. Elliot

The number of beds available for civilian cases in the London area as a whole is considerably greater than before the war, although the number available in the central part of the area has been reduced owing to war measures and the necessity of maintaining a certain number of beds for casualties. Some disorganisation of medical education has undoubtedly taken place, but, as the hon. Member is aware, the clinical education of students has been carried on at various hospitals, both municipal and voluntary, under the London sector scheme. The question of reopening further beds in the central area will certainly be reviewed in the light of experience.