asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the provision of beds in Swiss sanatoria for Scottish tuberculosis patients.

Exploratory discussions are now proceeding with the authorities of certain Swiss sanatoria as to the charges they would make for the treatment of patients from this country. These discussions will be concluded shortly and I hope it will then be possible for the Government to reach a final decision.

May we understand that the 300 beds available in Switzerland will still be made available for Scottish tuberculosis patients?

At this point I could not give a definite answer to that question.

Has the hon. Lady seen the strong recommendation in favour of this course by the medical officer of health for Glasgow?

The very fact that the Department and the Secretary of State have been carrying out these exploratory steps shows very clearly that we are fully aware of the use to which these beds might be put.

I understand that the hon. Lady has been vigorously exploring these things, but surely it would be as well now to come to some decision.