§ 83. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health what date was first given for the completion of the new nurses' quarters at the ex-British Legion sanatorium at Preston Hall, now taken over by his Department, near Maidstone; on what date he anticipates that these premises will be occupied; what is the cause of the delay; who is responsible for the job; how much over-time has been worked, and why; how many nurses are to be accommodated; and what will be the total cost to the National Health Scheme of the premises, equipment and furniture.
§ Mr. BevanNo date of completion for these nurses' quarters was fixed at the outset as this was partly a matter of "occupational therapy" and not Wholly an ordinary building contract; it is now anticipated that the premises will be occupied by the end of the year; there was no delay in the erection of the hut, but there was some delay in the delivery of part of the heating apparatus; the work is being carried out by British Legion Industries (Preston Hall) Incorporated; 1,266 hours' overtime were worked on bricklaying and painting, plumbing and carpentry; this was necessary as the disabled patients cannot do heavy work and it is essential to keep a flow of occupational work prepared for them; ten nurses are to be accomodated; the cost is estimated to be £4,532 for building and engineering, plus £1,150 for furnishings and equipment.
§ 84. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health how much timber was approved for the new nurses' quarters at the ex-British Legion sanatorium at Preston Hall, now taken over by his Department; why the floor had to be lifted; what caused the ceiling defects; and to what extent the floor and ceiling defects have delayed occupation.
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§ Mr. BevanA licence was issued for two standards of softwood; the floor was composed of special tiles, a few of which did not set properly and had to be re-laid; there were some cracks in the ceiling, caused either by shrinkage of timber or settlement; no delay occurred as a result.
§ 85. Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health why the single settler tuberculosis men patients, at the ex-British Legion sanatorium, Preston Hall, now taken over by his Department, near Maidstone, receive only one tablet of soap each for two weeks; and why they cannot be given the full ration of one tablet each per week.
§ Mr. BevanOne tablet of soap per fortnight is retained for laundry and cleaning, in accordance with normal practice.