§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Health how many beds in mental and other hospitals are at present unusable owing to shortage of staffs.
Mr. B. Taylorasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the difficulty local authorities will have in staffing the smaller hospitals by the operation of his Ministry's circulars, Nos. 4/46 and 124/46, at the beginning of 1948; and it he will consider a postponement until two 459W years after the hospitals have been regionalised, so as to prevent what might be a serious hindrance to the proper staffing of the smaller hospitals.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware of the difficulty, but am not satisfied that it would be solved if the General Nursing Council further postponed the final date for the enrolment of assistant nurses without examination. This and other matters relating to the recruitment, and training of nurses are at present under consideration by a working party on Nursing.