§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Health how many E.M.S. hospitals are now administered by his Ministry; how many of these are controlled by local authorities; whether the medical officers attached to these hospitals, but not forming part of the original staffs of the local authority hospital, come under the discipline of the hospital superintendent, as do members of the original staffs; and under what authority these hospitals are now undertaking medical services which were not contemplated when the emergency system was inaugurated.
§ Mr. WillinkHospitals in the Emergency Hospital Scheme are administered by their normal governing authorities and not by my Department. The Scheme now includes 1,640 hospitals, of which 671 are controlled by local authorities. Medical officers attached to a local authority hospital are under the discipline of the hospital authority, which is generally exercised through the Medical Superintendent. As regards the last part of the Question, the scheme as originally planned provided for the treatment of civilian casualties from enemy action and of persons transferred from one hospital to another to afford accommodation for the treatment of such casualties. The treatment of these cases is provided for under Sections 50 to 53 of the Civil Defence Act, 1939. The scheme has since been extended under agency arrangements made with the Government Departments concerned and authorised by the Treasury, to include Service casualties and sick, members of the Merchant Navy and various groups of civilian patients engaged on work of importance to the war effort in this country.