§ 118. Mr. R. Harrisasked the Minister of Health what instructions he has given to hospitals for the marking of equipment, including textiles; what steps he has taken to ensure that hospitals have complied with his directions; and how many hospitals have not yet complied with his directions.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIn a memorandum issued last May hospital authorities were asked to consider a number of measures, including the marking of linen, designed to prevent losses, in so far as these measures were not already in force. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the memorandum. It is still too early to assess its effect.
§ 119. Mr. R. Harrisasked the Minister of Health what statistics he has in regard to pilferage of equipment and textiles from hospitals; and how many prosecutions have taken place against persons suspected of theft.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI have no separate information about these, articles, but for the year ended 31st March, 1953 (the latest for which figures are available), notified losses of all items of stores and equipment due to fraud, theft or arson amounted to £8,257 in value. Other notified losses including stocktaking discrepancies, amounted to £188,082, but it is not known how much, if any, of this was the result of theft. Figures of the numbers of prosecutions brought are not readily available.