§ Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has tendered to hospital management committees in England on the advisability of ensuring that electrical generating equipment is available to ensure supplies 180W of electricity to meet emergencies in hospitals in England during the period of the work-to-rule in the electrical supply industry.
§ Sir K. JosephAll hospital authorities have guidance on the installation of emergency electricity supplies to protect vital medical equipment, lighting in operating suites and delivery rooms and other essential services, and most large hospitals have their own standby generating facilities. For hospitals without these permanent facilities boards were recently advised to make any local arrangements that were possible and to purchase additional generators, and under arrangements made with the Ministry of Defence my right hon. and noble Friend has supplied a number of mobile generators. But the supply of generators is insufficient to meet all the requirements of hospitals and their use has to be restricted to the most essential services.