§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is satisfied that hospital facilities for seamen will be fully operative until 31 March at the Dreadnought seamen's hospital in Greenwich;
(2) if he is satisfied that the building at St. Thomas's hospital in which it is proposed to house the Dreadnought seamen's hospital is ready for permanent occupation by that hospital.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe are satisfied that the facilities for seamen will be provided at the Dreadnought seamen's hospital until the service is transferred to St. Thomas's hospital in the West Lambeth health authority. I understand that the transfer to permanent accommodation
382Wand Principles (CVCP). No information is available about the level of rents paid by students on local authority housing. It should also be noted that hall of residence charges include other items besides rent.
is scheduled to take place on 1 April, although I believe that some external refurbishment will be necessary towards the end of the year, and that the patients will be accommodated in nearby wards while this is carried out.
§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that provision currently being made for geriatric patients referred to the Dreadnought seamen's hospital in Greenwich by the Lewisham and North Southwark health authority will be catered for by that authority after 1 April.
§ Mr. WhitneyI understand that provision for these patients is presently the subject of discussion between the two health authorities, and I am assured that satisfactory arrangements will be agreed to facilitate continuity of care following closure of the Dreadnought seamen's hospital in Greenwich.
§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the contents of the report he has received about the state of the building at St. Thomas's hospital in which it is proposed to house the Dreadnought seamen's hospital.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe have not seen any such report.