§ Mr. Asshetonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that hardship is being caused to individuals by delays in the distribution of estates due to the obscurity of the legal provisions of the National Health Service Act, 1946; what action he proposes to take to expedite the settlement of these cases; and whether he proposes to indemnify individuals against costs incurred in this connection.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware of these cases and am taking such action as is open to me, in co-operation with the solicitors for the other parties concerned, to secure early hearings. I anticipate that a decision by the courts in the first of the two cases about which the hon. Member has written to me will greatly assist the determination of others outstanding. The question of costs is a matter for the courts.