§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health what was the average number of vacant beds in the Orpington and Farnborough hospitals, respectively, for the month of November; will he release a large proportion for local patients; and will he consult with the Minister of Labour with the object of securing adequate nursing and domestic staff.
§ Mr. WillinkThe average numbers of vacant beds in the Orpington and Farnborough Emergency Hospitals during November, 1944, were 104 and 161 respectively. By last Tuesday the figures for these two large hospitals had fallen to 69 and 122. I have already released part of the hutted accommodation at the Farnborough hospital for the treament of local sick and for the purpose of accommodat-754W ing the nursing staff, and I regret that, owing to the immediate needs of the Emergency Hospital Scheme, more accommodation cannot be made available at present. My Department is already in communication with the Ministry of Labour and National Service about the staffing difficulties of the hospitals in question.