§ 109. Mr. T. Lewisasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious position in connection with the use that is being made of the sanatorium beds in the local authority's institution at Southampton, by the fact that they have, at present, to find accommodation for a large number of non-Service tubercular cases such as merchant seamen, Control Corn-mission personnel, etc., sent back to this country via the port of Southampton; and that, since November, 1946, 16 cases have had to be admitted into the local authority's hospitals, whereas there is a waiting list of 64 cases of local residents in urgent need of sanatorium treatment; and what steps he proposes to take in order to relieve the local situation.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsThe medical authorities at Southampton have given indispensable help in temporarily looking after repatriated bedridden cases until other arrangements could be made. The numbers have not been large, but my right 103W hon. Friend appreciates what my hon. Friend says and he will continue to do everything he can to secure early transfer of such cases.