Mr. MALONEasked the Minister of Health what decisions have been given or what steps have been taken in regard to the acute financial status of many of the London hospitals; whether he is aware that the delay in settling this question is having a very bad effect on the staffs, new recruits hesitating to come forward for training when hospitals are insolvent, and further increasing the strain on the management due to the condition of these affairs; and will he take steps at once to 2210W give this matter immediate attention and also see that necessary action is taken without delay?
§ Dr. ADDISONAs I informed my hon. Friend on 16th June, I have given this matter my anxious consideration for some time. The Council of King Edward's Fund have decided to make an immediate distribution of £250,000 to meet the pressing needs of the London hospitals. The question of the extent to which this grant will require to be supplemented from other sources and the best method of giving such further assistance as is necessary without discouraging voluntary subscriptions is under consideration, but the whole question involves many complex issues, and I am not at present in a position to make any statement.