§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give an assurance that there will be no curtailment of beds available where demand exists, no cut in food supplies to the patients, and no reduction in medical services in Scottish hospitals.
§ Mr. NobleThe hospital service, so far from being curtailed, will go on developing steadily and will be continuously adapted to meet changing needs. There may have been temporary checks recently in some hospitals where the rate of expenditure has been exceeding the approved rate of increase, but generally boards have not found it necessary to reduce the services for patients. At the latest available date, 30th September, 1962, the numbers of both doctors and nurses were greater than ever before.
§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has given to the representations of the Scottish Trades Union Congress concerning the instructions his Department has given to regional hospital boards, in view of the possible cut in hospital services which may result from these instructions.