§ Sir M. Galpernasked the Minister of Health how many complaints he has received from surgeons and anaesthetists regarding the antiquated methods of sterilizing instruments and ventilating operating theatres in private nursing homes; and if he will take steps to carry out a survey of private nursing homes with a view to ascertaining how many have undergone no modernisation in the last 20 years.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have had no such complaints. With regard to the second part of the Question, in England and Wales these matters are primarily the responsibility of the managers of the homes and of local registration authorities, whose powers of supervision were increased by the Conduct of Nursing Homes Regulations, 1963 (S.I. 1963 No. 1434). If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind in England or Wales, I will gladly ask the registration authority to investigate.