asked the Minister of Health what percentage of Section 5 pay-beds were unoccupied in the hospitals under his direction during each of the last three years.

I regret that no figures are available before July, 1952. For the periods July to December, 1952, January to June, 1953, and July to December, 1953, the figures for non-mental hospitals are 34–5, 30–4 and 34–5 respectively.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that these figures show a terrible waste of beds? Large numbers of waiting non-paying patients could quite well use these beds if the Minister would give instructions that they should be used, and such instructions were carried out.

I did that in August last year, and the results of it are not apparent in these figures. I hope that they will very substantially reduce the percentage of non-occupied beds.

Can the Minister say whether this whole question comes within the terms of reference of the Guillebaud Committee?

Without having the terms of reference in mind, I see no reason why the Guillebaud Committee should not make recommendations on that.