HC Deb 23 February 1955 vol 537 c154W
55. Mrs. L. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he has not appointed a doctor to work in the hospital which the people of Lefkara, Cyprus, have built voluntarily; and whether he will endeavour to encourage such self- help.

Mr. Hopkinson

This hospital has nine beds for patients with minor ailments. It has a trained nurse and is visited twice weekly by the Government doctor stationed seven miles away. The Cyprus Government consider that the present arrangement best enables the Government Medical Officer to serve this rural area. In reply to the second part of the Question, the hospital already receives a Government grant of about 50 per cent. of the running costs. The Government are also prepared to help to subsidise a private practitioner in the village if a suitable candidate is forthcoming.