Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Health what has been the result of the special committee set up in each regional area which inquired into the farming activities of hospitals; how many hospital farms he has agreed to close; and how many of these are mental and tuberculosis hospitals in each area.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodReports have been received from regional hospital boards on 207 hospital farms. Decisions have been reached on 112 of these and discussions are still taking place on the remainder.
The decisions reached so far provide for the disposal of land as follows:
Acres. To be sold 5,248 To be leased 3,708 Farmland at present leased to be surrendered 5,618 TOTAL 14,574 In fourteen cases these decisions involve the complete abandonment of farming activities. Nine of the hospitals involved are mental hospitals, four tuberculosis hospitals and one a general hospital.