§ Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now been able to come to some arrangement with the board of guardians, Hammersmith, in order that the Orthopædic Hospital, Shepherd's Bush, shall remain as a hospital for disabled men?
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been drawn to a statement published on 3rd March by the consulting physician to the Shepherd's Bush Hospital for ex-service men to the effect that, owing to a difference between the Ministry and the guardians as to rent, it is proposed to remove the patients to huts, and that the surgical staff are unanimously of opinion that such removal would be detrimental to the 1790W patients; if so, what net saving would be effected if these removals are made; and if he will consider, in any case, whether the difference with the guardians in regard to rent could be adjusted by arbitration and the disadvantages of removal avoided?
§ Major TRYONMy right hon. Friend has intimated to the guardians that his offer of an increased rent of £12,000 a year for these premises is still open. He has also intimated his willingness that the views of the Ministry should be explained at a conference with the guardians, at which he would welcome the presence of a representative of the Ministry of Health.