asked the Minister of Health what is now the shortage of maternity beds in the area of the Kingston Group Hospital Management Committee; and what steps he is taking to eliminate this.

Sixty; the regional hospital board intends to provide more maternity beds later this year.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say at what hospital it intends to provide more maternity beds and how many more?

Yes, Sir. It is at Kingston Hospital, where the board proposes to provide 12 additional beds and to improve the labour suite. But a shortage of 60 beds does not take into account teaching hospital beds which are used by a number of women from the Kingston area.