§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Health how many beds for maternity cases are available in the hospitals under the Leeds Regional Hospital Board; how many are now in use; what is the estimated number required to provide an adequate service; and how, and where, it is proposed that the shortage will he met.
§ Mr. BevanOn 31st December, 1948, 1,016 maternity beds were available in the hospitals for which the Leeds Regional Hospital Board is responsible, of which 795 were occupied. The Board is not yet able to estimate the number of beds required to provide an adequate service but is about to consider the matter. Meanwhile, schemes are in hand for providing an additional 71 beds and nine cots for premature babies at the Otley County Hospital, the Woodgates Maternity Home, Ferriby, the Staincliffe General Hospital, Dewsbury, and St. John's Hospital, Keighley.
§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister.of Health what is the present and proposed use of the Seacroft Hospital, Leeds; to what extent the available beds are now being used; and what prevents any of the hundreds of vacant beds being allocated for maternity cases.
§ Mr. BevanSeacroft Hospital is at present being used for infectious diseases and its future use is now being considered by the Leeds Regional Hospital Board and others concerned. On the 31st December, 1948, 76 out of the 104 avail- able beds were occupied. I am informed that staff is not immediately available for bringing into use the remaining beds in the hospital.