§ Mr. McKinlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement regarding the future of the emergency hospitals built during the war and administered by the Department of Health for Scotland.
§ Mr. WestwoodYes, Sir. These hospitals, although intended originally for air raid casualties, have treated large numbers of patients who were in Services or auxiliary organisations or who became the responsibility of the Ministry of Pensions. The numbers of patients in these classes are now falling, of course, but they are still substantial and they must be regarded as a first commitment. Certain classes of civilian patients have already been admitted and I propose to extend the arrangements for the admission of such patients in order that the hospitals and the special facilities they provide may serve the people of Scotland as a whole. 287W The extent to which they can do so depends primarily on the numbers of medical, nursing and other staff available, and I hope that the existing staffs, including members of the Civil Nursing Reserve, will continue on the new basis. The new arrangements will take some time to bring into full effect, but before the National Health Service comes into operation these hospitals should have found their proper place in the permanent hospital system of Scotland.