§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that the industrial dispute in the electricity supply industry has shown that in national emergencies such as this the various public services within the control of his Department, such as hospitals, are unable to cope with the difficulties encountered; and whether he will set up an emergency committee to prepare ways and means to ensure the satisfactory working of public services in such emergencies.
§ Sir K. JosephNo. The disruption of electricity supply caused difficulties and inconvenience in hospitals as in industry and among the general public; but hospitals coped remarkably well in maintaining essential services. The country owes a debt of gratitude to those who by professional skill, common sense, improvisation and sheer hard work carried the506W hospital service through the period without breakdown. I am considering what lessons there are to be learned for the future from recent experience.