THE EARL OF HARROWBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the increase in the average height of the population, they will make it a condition for grants for the building of new houses and flats that the bedrooms should provide suitable space for beds long enough for people of 6 ft. 4 in., and, for the building of hospitals, that a greater percentage of the beds should be large enough to accommodate the necessary medical appliances at the head of the bed with reasonable comfort to such patients, and also that a programme of modernisation of mattresses should be put into operation at the earliest possible moment.
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD HASTINGS)The minimum bed-room sizes required in council houses in conformity with the Housing Manual, 1949, are such that an extra long bed could normally be included in all bedrooms. Suitable hospital beds are generally available for patients of all heights. Both the average height of the population and the range of heights are being taken into account in a study of hospital bed and mattress design currently being conducted by the King Edward's Hospital Fund for London in association with the Health Departments.
House adjourned at twenty-one minutes past five o'clock.