§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Health what estimates for the current year have been submitted to him by each Regional Hospital Board, showing separately expenditure on current and capital account; what cuts in each have been proposed by his Department; what estimates have 107W been submitted by each board as to the number of beds which will be closed and the number not brought into use by the carrying out of such proposals; and what indication there is that some boards are more economical in administration than others.
§ Mr. BevanRegional hospital boards are at present reviewing their estimates subject to a general directive that the welfare of the patients must not he affected, but detailed reports as to the effect of the revisions proposed by my Department have not yet been made by all boards. The extent to which the proposed revisions should be implemented is under review in the light of the information so far received. In reply to the last part of the Question, the data are not yet sufficient for the comparison of one regional hospital board with another; experience of at least one year's full working is essential before such comparisons can be made.