§ Sir R. Aclandasked the Minister of Health, what authorities are entitled to requisition beds and mattresses from private stores; and whether he can give any indication of the approximate number requisitioned, either by all or by one or two typical authorities.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe requisitioning powers to which my hon. Friend refers were conferred on the clerks of metropolitan borough councils. Information as to the extent to which the powers have been used is not yet available. The hon. Baronet will appreciate that the normal means by which the local authorities secure beds and mattresses is through my Department which has, in fact, issued large supplies to local authorities in recent months.