asked the Minister of Health the estimated cost of hospitals running market gardens.

I regret that this information is not separately available. Trading accounts are, however, being introduced in a standard form from 1st April, 1954, for both hospital farms and market gardens.

Is the Minister aware that it is generally considered that there is a heavy loss made on this? Will he change his policy, as there are plenty of market gardeners who are prepared to produce fresh well-grown food and vegetables at a reasonable price, instead of hospitals wasting the taxpayers' money by making these losses?

Yes. Apart from circulating them on the proper keeping of trading accounts, I have recently asked all hospitals to refrain from farming activities so that they do not indulge in activities which can best be done by ordinary farmers