HC Deb 24 October 1966 vol 734 cc110-1W
81. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of the recent incident at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in which six patients died, he has issued instructions or recommendations to lessen the chances of the recurrence of such an accident.

Mr. Ross

As regards the arrangements at the Infirmary, suitable steps were taken as soon as the defect in the installation was discovered to ensure that the same circumstances will not arise again. As regards other hospitals in Scotland, on 12th October my Department issued to hospital authorities a memorandum of guidance on the precautions to be taken where piped medical gas systems are installed or modified. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend and copies are being put in the Library.

I wish to take this opportunity to express my sympathy for the relatives of those whose deaths had to be investigated as a result of this tragic incident.