§ 71. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Health if he will set up an inquiry to ascertain how many old-age pensioners, admitted to hospitals during the last 12 months, have been diagnosed as suffering from starvation or under- 204W nourishment and to make recommendations to remove the causes of this starvation and under-nourishment.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithPrecise figures are not available, but it is known that a small number of old people on admission to hospital have shown signs of malnutrition associated with some other physical condition which has prevented them from caring for themselves. The problem of discovering old people in this condition is well known to the local authorities responsible for the domiciliary services for the care of old people, and my right hon. Friend does not consider that any special inquiry would assist in meeting it.