Mr. WINTERTONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the serious financial straits in which many hospitals find themselves, he is prepared to appoint either a Royal Commission or a Select Committee to inquire into the advisability of making hospital treatment a State service?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 27th November in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Harwich (Mr. Pybus), of which I am sending him a copy. I would point out that local authorities have powers, under the Public Health Act, both to provide hospitals and to contribute to voluntary hospitals. It does not appear to be necessary, therefore, at the present time to institute such an inquiry as is suggested in the question.