asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will include in the new hospital building programme and as far as practical in existing hospital accommodation non-smoking compartments, with a view to removing the discomfort caused by smoking to non-smokers in general, and to those suffering from chest illnesses in particular; and if he will make a statement.

New hospital wards will in any event be sub-divided into different rooms for patients. It should often be possible therefore to meet the needs of smokers and non-smokers. It would not be practicable to convert existing hospital wards to achieve this object, without losing beds and flexibility to an extent that is not in the best interests of patients.