§ Mr. G. Straussasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is still a large number of old and chronically sick cases in the London hospitals; that many casualties in recent raids on London have been caused thereby; and will he now take steps to have them removed to reception areas?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe number of old and chronically sick cases in the London hospitals has been very much reduced, and is now less than half the normal. Many of those who remain have expressed unwillingness to go. Top floors and other particularly exposed parts of the hospitals are not in use, and casualties have been few. I regret that it is not practicable at the present time for all the remaining chronic sick to he moved out in view of the heavy calls made on the outer beds by acute sick, air-raid casualties and Service cases.