asked the Minister of Health what additional recruitment of architectural and engineering staff he expects will be required by the hospital building programme in 1962–63, 1963–64 and 1964–65, respectively; and what steps are being taken by his Department to secure the necessary trained staff.

This will depend upon the proportion of their work which hospital boards decide should be undertaken by their own staff in each year. Every opportunity is taken of publicising the scope and interest of this expanding field.

Has not the Minister had consultations with the appropriate education authorities to see what he can do to stimulate the training of architects, engineers, and so on? Within his own control, why does he not increase the number of apprentices articled to architects and engineers on the staff of regional hospitals?

The latter part of the question is one for regional hospital boards, which are the employers. They are preparing the plans which will involve this increased demand. In general, I think that one of the many advantages which flow from a clear long-term plan will be the evident demonstration of the need for architects in this field.

Does the Minister agree that at present the lack of architects and engineering staff constitutes one of the serious bottlenecks in his own programme?

Yes.