§ Sir R. Youngasked the Minister of Health why he rejected the application of the hospital authority of Newton for an X-ray apparatus in view of the fact that this hospital serves a wide area, whose health as well as the saving of working hours would increase by the use of such an appliance; and seeing such a machine is procurable, whether he will reconsider the decision.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe supply of X-ray apparatus is insufficient to meet the needs of all hospitals, and it is, therefore, essential that such apparatus as is available should be supplied to the larger hospitals which are able to use it to full advantage. My right hon. and learned Friend's advisers did not consider that the amount of X-ray work done for other bodies by the Newton-le-Willows War Memorial Hospital, which has only ten beds, was sufficient to warrant their recommending to the Board of Trade that a licence should be granted to supply a new X-ray set to the hospital so long as the present shortage of apparatus continues. Alternative facilities for X-ray examinations are available in the area, and my right hon. and learned Friend would not, therefore, feel justified in recommending that the original decision not to grant a licence should be reversed.