§ 75. Mr. Fortasked the Minister of Health how the deaths and admissions to hospitals in the London area during the past week compare to those in the corresponding week last year; how far the recent dense and prolonged fog in and near London has affected the admissions; and whether the Emergency Bed Service in the London area was able, during the past week, to meet all urgent demands for admission to hospitals.
§ 79. Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Health if he can furnish an estimate of the number of additional deaths in the greater Metropolitan area due to the recent fog; and the number of additional admissions to hospitals as a result of the same cause.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe number of deaths from all causes in Greater London during the week ending 13th December was 4,703 compared with 1,852 in the corresponding week of 1951. The number of hospital admissions arranged by the Emergency Bed Service for the week ending 12th December was 2,007 compared with 917. The cold weather had already caused some increase, but a large part of these increases must be attributed to the fog. Special steps were taken to secure the admission of all clearly urgent cases, and the great majority of applications to the Emergency Bed Service were met. I should like to take the opportunity of paying a tribute to the hospitals and the Emergency Bed Service for their success in meeting this emergency.