asked whether the Government intend to make arrangements with voluntary hospitals to afford gratuitous treatment for the number of patients of the class hitherto gratuitously treated, who are now insured persons, but for whom the Government is not in a position to give adequate medical relief and treatment?

The Government is in a position to give medical benefit to insured persons in accordance with the National Insurance Act. I have no reason to believe that voluntary hospitals will refuse to treat insured persons who are in need of such treatment as is outside the scope of medical benefit under the Act.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman understand the voluntary hospitals have said they will not treat them?

No; the hospitals have said exactly the opposite.