asked the Minister of Health, in view of the facts that in the Plymouth area there are over 6,000 names on the hospitals' waiting lists and that one of the seven surgeons has 600 cases awaiting his services, what action he is taking to rectify this situation.

The South Western Regional Hospital Board has the situation under constant review and plans are in hand to make new consultant appointments and increase the number of beds and operating theatres.

This is a very long-term suggestion and will not help in our immediate problems. In view of the fact that the Chancellor has introduced a gaming tax in order to offset mortgage subsidies, would the Minister consider having a national lottery, as is done in the Republic of Ireland, in order to try to help in the hospital situation?

We looked at the question of a national lottery, but even if we had a national lottery we should not increase the resources which we have to apply to the building of hospitals. On the specific point made by the hon. Lady, I would point out that new consultant appointments have recently been made and others are shortly to be added. There will be some improvement in beds in both the Devonport and Freedom Fields Hospitals in the summer and a further improvement at the beginning of next year. The regional hospital board is looking at the problem.

Is the Minister aware that this problem exists not only in Plymouth but throughout the whole of Devon? Well over 10,000 people are waiting for operations. Since the Labour Party has been in power there has been no improvement at all.

The hon. Member's last remark will take a bit of beating.

Answer the question.

I will answer if you wait. [Interruption.] I beg your pardon, Mr. Speaker. We are aware, as much as the hon. Member is aware, of the fact that there is a shortage of hospital beds in many regions. We are perhaps a little more conscious of it than was the Administration which preceded us.

Is the Minister aware that his Answer to the hon. Lady the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers) will be very badly received not only by potential patients but by the medical profession throughout this area of Devon and Cornwall who are gravely concerned about the shortage of hospital beds?

I do not think that the Answer which I gave the hon. Lady will be badly received because it indicated that the regional hospital board is cognisant of the problem and is taking steps to remedy it.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply for the people of the West Country, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.