§ 81. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health how many hospital and sanatorium beds are now closed because of shortage of staff; and how he proposes to staff them in the case of severe epidemic or other national emergency.
§ Mr. BevanThe number of unstaffed hospital beds on 30th September last was 57,500, including 4,800 in sanatoria. There are large numbers of nurses not actively employed, many of whom would be willing to serve in an emergency and whose names are on an emergency reserve list kept by my Department.