asked the Minister of Health how many beds at the Ground-slow Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Tittensor, Staffordshire, stand unoccupied owing to the shortage of nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the progress of recruitment to the nursing profession.

Sixty-two beds are unoccupied owing to shortage of nursing staff. Between 5th July, 1948, and 30th September, 1950, the full-time nursing staff of hospitals increased by 16,142 and the part-time staff by 7,584. In the same period the full-time nursing staff of tuberculosis sanatoria increased by 1,207 and the part-time staff by 435. The latest returns show that the rate of progress is being well maintained.