§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will amend Section 6 of the Ministry of Health circular addressed to secretaries of English regional hospital boards and boards of governors, dated 29th July, 1968, to allow hospitals to purchase cotton terry blankets on the same terms as cotton cellular blankets and wool blankets, at their own discretion.
§ Mr. AlisonFurther advice will shortly be issued to hospital authorities, but the results of trials arranged by the 31W Department do not justify any significant extension of the use of cotton terry blankets.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what replies he has received to his circular to hospitals on the use made of terry blankets; and if he will make a statement on their cost/life ratio and on their inflammability and thermal heat.
§ Mr. AlisonNo comments on the circular have been received. The trials have shown that for general ward use cotton terry blankets are not the most economical and do not provide more warmth; nor are they less flammable.