asked the Minister of Health when he intends to start the proposed postgraduate hospital development in Chelsea.

The Hospital Building Programme (Cmnd. 3000) envisages a start on building of the Chelsea Postgraduate Medical Centre in the period after 1969–70.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that this is the right site for this development? Is he aware that Chelsea is a residential area in the heart of London and that there has been so much loss of residential accommodation in the heart of London that it is important that the Government should not take a lead in reducing it even further?

As I think the hon. Member knows, because he was connected with the Department at the time, the concept of this group of postgraduate teaching hospitals was first announced in June, 1961, and provision was made in the first Hospital Plan produced in January, 1962. As at present advised, I do not see any better site available for the scheme.

asked the Minister A Health whether he will give an undertaking that the proposed postgraduate hospital development in Chelsea will not involve any demolition of housing.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware hat this will cause great concern and that, for the reasons which I have already given, there is an absolute urgency that the amount of residential accommodation in Chelsea should not be reduced, and that failure to give this undertaking will, therefore, cause concern in my constituency?

I could not give that undertaking and proceed with the scheme. The first phase of the scheme will involve demolition of 20 houses, but not of course before 1970.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital authorities within the National Health Service have informed him of the results of the review of the arrangements of Section 4 beds as requested in his Circular HM(66)26; and if he will place examples of hospital leaflets which publicise the facilities of amenity beds in the Library.

I shall be calling for reports later in the year. Meanwhile I will arrange for sample leaflets to be placed in the Library.

How many of the regional hospitals boards have not yet replied? Will my right hon. Friend take the opportunity of reviewing the whole system of bed allocation by consultants?

I think I am right in saying that the replies from hospital authorities are not yet due. Certainly, I will consider any further steps that need to be taken in connection with pay beds in the light of the replies which I receive.

asked the Minister of Health what encouragement he gives to regional hospital boards to second their personnel for a tour in overseas countries of the Commonwealth; and whether those volunteering to go will lose or gain promotion in their home-based jobs.

I have asked boards to assist senior hospital medical and dental staff to accept short-term appointments overseas and to agree to second the more junior staff to overseas posts arranged by the Ministry of Overseas Development. New appointments in the hospital service are filled by competition, and any overseas experience of a doctor seeking a higher appointment on return would be taken into account.

Did the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the boards to the agreement between the Greater London Council and the Government of Nigeria whereby teachers who volunteer for three years get accelerated promotion?

I will look into this. I assure the hon. Member that regional boards have for a very long time been encouraging their doctors to go overseas, certainly since 1952. As for arrangements within the Commonwealth, the hon. Member might be interested in the proceedings of the Commonwealth Medical Conference, which was held last autumn.

asked the Minister of Health the reason for the closing of the diabetic clinic at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stock port.

The clinic facilities for diabetic patients at Stepping Hill Hospital have not been discontinued.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my constituents have been advised that they must in future attend at Macclesfield and that the clinic at Stepping Hill has been closed down? They have further been advised that transport will be provided, but they have to go with sandwiches because they cannot be returned home until after 4 o'clock, which means a whole day in order to attend the clinic.

I will certainly make further inquiries and write to my hon. Friend about some of the specific points which he has made. My information, however, is that there never has been a diabetic clinic at this hospital. The clinic for the area is at Stockport Infirmary. To supplement this service, some diabetic patients are received by the same consultant at his medical clinic at Stepping Hill.

Will the Minister look carefully at this matter, because the general hospital at Macclesfield is an ex-workhouse built in 1842 and, under the new Hospital Plan, the time before rebuilding takes places has been put back six or seven years? Will the Minister consider the whole area, because Stockport and Macclesfield are very badly served in all respects?

I am sure that conditions in the area have been considered very carefully by the regional board in drawing up its plans, but if the hon. Member has any particular question to raise I hope that he will put it on the Order Paper.