§ 26. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the large waiting lists of patients for hospitals in every city in the country and that the present hospital services are inadequate to meet the needs of the people; and how he proposes to improve this position, in view of his recent instructions to reduce the staffs at hospitals by 5 per cent.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware that in many parts of the country there are long waiting lists for admission, particularly in certain specialties, but they are showing signs of decreasing, and urgent cases are normally admitted without delay. My recent request for economy in manpower does not call for reductions in any case where they would result in curtailing essential services.