asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the waste of paper and labour entailed in the dispatch of corrigenda to regulations issued by his Department relating to unimportant details; and if he will cause this practice to stop.

I am not aware that there is any such waste.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the following corrigendum was issued quite recently under the heading "Capital and Maintenance Works and Expenditure":

"Page 2, paragraph 3 (iii), line 4, delete semi-colon after 'sterilising'"?

Is he further aware that in the case of the Worthing Hospital Management Committee one copy of this corrigendum was sent to each member, numbering 24? If that happens all over the country is it not a fantastic waste of paper and labour?

I hope not. I expect that it is one of those matters where the lawyers insist on accuracy of punctuation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that these corrigenda have no statutory authority whatsoever?

I should require notice of that question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the very great appreciation of the population of the country of the National Health Service, and their impatience with this niggling kind of Question?