§ 78. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Defence under what statutory authority he was admitted to a military hospital for a medical operation and to have treatment in a private ward; and whether such facilities are freely available to all ex-Servicemen and war disabled pensioners.
§ Mr. HealeyAdmission to Service hospitals is not governed by statute. Under long-standing reciprocal arrangements with the National Health Service members of the general public, including ex-Servicemen and war-disabled pensioners may be admitted to Service hospitals. I was admitted under this arrangement so that treatment could be carried out at a time which would interfere least with Government and Departmental business and, in order to enable me to deal with urgent and necessary official work, I was accommodated in a single room.