§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that considerable disquiet is being felt in Hornchurch and district at the inadequate staffing of sanatoria under the control of the Essex County Council following call-ups; and whether, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, he will rectify this?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am aware that in some sanatoria there is a shortage of nursing and domestic staff. Such staff are considered to be engaged on vital war service, from which women are not called upon to transfer by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, so that loss of staff cannot be the result of call-up action on his part. My information is that in the institutions within the area to which my hon. Friend refers some staff have left of their own wish. Arrangements for securing a better supply and distribution of nurses are under active consideration by my right hon. Friend with the various organisations concerned and myself. He is also making every effort, within the limits of the available woman-power, to encourage suitable women to undertake domestic work in hospitals and similar institutions, including sanatoria; such work is regarded as vital war work, to which women of all ages can be submitted.