§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether is is, as reported, the case that they have pledged to supply enough hospital beds to meet the foreseeable needs for American casualites in Europe 950WA in wartime and, if so, how is the forecast of such needs arrived at, and what is the forecast of British needs at the same time.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)The Government are making contingency plans for the best use of all National Health Service resources in the event of war and these plans will cover the treatment in United Kingdom hospitals of both British and American military casualties should war in Europe ever break out. These plans will be incorporated in planning for the National Health Service as a whole in time of crisis or war, and are part of a continuous process. The United States is also establishing its own contingency hospitals which will be activated in a crisis; these will be equipped, manned and financed by the United States Government and will reduce the burden on the National Health Service.
Any plans to use civilian resources for United States forces will be drawn up in consultation with other government departments and relevant civilian authorities, but estimates of requirement must remain classified.