asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the money value of the net increase over 1947 in home food production attained in 1952, 1953 and 1954.

Compared with 1946–47, the increases in value of net agricultural output are estimated at about £155 million in 1952–53, £195 million in 1953–54 and £180 million in 1954–55. These increases have been calculated at 1954–55 prices in each year; and the figure for 1954–55 is still a forecast.

May we take those figures as a measure of the contribution British agriculture has made to our balance of payments problem?

I would agree with my hon. Friend that these increases have made a very valuable contribution to our balance of payments, and that they have also proved of very great benefit to consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now received from the National Farmers' Union proposals for a producers' egg marketing scheme incorporating the method of providing price guarantees already agreed.

No formal proposals have yet been received.

Can my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that, just as soon as the National Farmers' Union has made up its mind to go forward with this proposal for a producers' egg marketing scheme, he has ready in his Ministry all the facilities necessary to carry it forward without any delay?

Yes, Sir; I can certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the traditional practice of grazing commons is today often impracticable; and what advice his Department is tendering to inquirers where it appears that the commons for which they are responsible are rapidly reverting to scrub which is worthless to both amenity and agriculture.

I recognise that the efficient grazing of common land presents great difficulties. In offering advice my Department suggests whatever co-operative action is practicable in the particular case consistent with the law. A prerequisite is full agreement among the commoners.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the efficient grazing of commons today nearly always demands an improved water supply, even if not ploughing and temporary fencing? This is often impossible to finance, and may be outside the statutory power of regulations. In addition, it may be difficult even to find an up-to-date roll of commoners. Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to make it possible for this land to make a better contribution to our food supplies?

I am very conscious of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend draws our attention. These difficulties are primarily legal.

In considering this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman keep closely in touch with the Commons Preservation Society in order to ensure that the other uses of commons in this highly industrialised society shall not be lost sight of?

Yes; the point which the right hon. Gentleman makes is a very good one indeed, and I am keeping in touch with the Commons Preservation Society and with other societies interested in the recreational aspect.

Does not the Minister agree that it is a very important matter that so much grazing land should be reverting to scrub? While we all agree that the rights of commons preservation interests should be recognised, does not the Minister agree that the legal position is quite archaic? As he has said that the difficulties are primarily legal, will he say whether he has in mind any changes in the law necessary to deal with the subject?

I agree with what the hon. Gentleman has said, and I am not altogether happy with the present situation. I have the whole matter very much under consideration at the present time.

In view of the importance of this matter, will my right hon. Friend set up a committee to inquire into the various laws which prevail throughout the country in respect of the various commons? Is it not a fact that these laws vary from village to village?

I have said that I have the matter very much under consideration at the present time.

In the right hon. Gentleman's desire to be all things to all men, particularly at this time, will he bear in mind that there are some very acute controversies involved in this matter?

I am not likely to be allowed to forget that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farms newly supplied with electricity in Dorset during 1952, 1953 and 1954.

I understand that Dorset comes under two different area boards and that no separate figures are available for the county as a whole.

If my right hon. Friend has not got the separate figures, will he do his best to expedite what is known as the Compton Abbas West Orchard scheme, which has been lying about for a long time?

I shall be glad to look into that matter.

Is the Minister aware that when he gets the figures he will find they illustrate the typical progress in rural electrification by the nationalised electricity boards?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total indebtedness to banks of the farming community in connection with their farming operations; and what estimates he has made in respect of each of the preceding four years.

From figures published by the joint stock banks, my Department estimates that the total of advances outstanding to farmers in the United Kingdom was £171 million in February, 1951, and £191 million, £187 million, £209 million and £214 million in subsequent Februaries up to 1955. It is further estimated that 55 to 60 per cent. of these sums represents indebtedness on account of farming operations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total indebtedness of the farming community in respect of hire-purchase agreements for implements and stock; and what estimates he has made in respect of each of the preceding four years.

Such statistics as are available are supplied by the trade and relate only to sums owing on hire-purchase agreements for machinery and implements purchased in the year in question. They are as follows: 1950–51—£3· 5 million, 1951–52—£3· 75 million, 1952–53—£3· 6 million, 1953–54—£4· 2 million and £1954–55—£4· 5 million.

Do not these figures given in the answers to this and the preceding Question represent proof that the agricultural policy of this Government has landed the farming community more and more in indebtedness?

I think what they do show is that the increased turnover which the industry has been making is being financed.

Do not the figures show that, contrary to what is frequently asserted, the banking industry is giving the fullest possible support to agriculture?

I think they also show that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the facilities of the great banking industry to farmers are being paid for at a very high price indeed, and that apparently the policy of the Government in increasing the Bank Rate is limiting the initiative of the small farmer who wants short-term loans or hire-purchase implements?

On the other hand, the movements of the Bank Rate are designed and are proving to be very much in the interests of the economy as a whole, including the interests of agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he can now announce the names of the Chairman and members of the Food Hygiene Advisory Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Food Hygiene Advisory Council has yet been constituted; and if he is now able to state the names of those appointed to serve on that council.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that the membership of the Food Hygiene Advisory Council is now complete. As I have already announced, the Chairman will be Lord Strang. There are 17 members, and I will, with permission, circulate their names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the importance of the work of this Council in the field of preventive medicine, can my right hon. Friend say whether or not a representative of the Ministry of Health will serve on the Council?

The Council itself consists of ladies and gentlemen appointed in their personal capacities; 11 have been appointed to represent the public, three to represent the food trades and three to represent the workers in those trades.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that we welcome very much the appointment of this committee and that we wish it Godspeed in its work, but that we very much regret that the right hon. Gentleman should go out of office without having laid the food regulations before the House?

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that at least there is full contact between the Ministry of Health and this very important Council, in view of the discussion we had in this House not very long ago on this subject?

Yes, certainly, very much so. All the regulations which come before this Council are introduced by the Minister of Health and myself.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that he has sufficient powers to prevent the re-introduction of healthy rabbits into areas now cleared by myxomatosis; and if he will make a statement.

I have no powers to prevent the re-introduction of healthy rabbits into areas cleared by myxomatosis, but under the Agriculture Act, 1947, I can require the destruction of the rabbits. I shall not hesitate to use those powers against persons who are found to have brought rabbits on to their land.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is easier to tell people to destroy rabbits on their land than it is to see them destroyed? Is it not a fact that the action of a few selfish people can do inestimable harm to the industry as a whole as well as to their neighbours?

I agree entirely with what my hon. Friend has said.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any evidence that any area has been absolutely and literally cleared of this pest by myxomatosis?

If one means absolutely and literally down to the last rabbit, it is very difficult to get that evidence, but there is a lot of evidence that some areas have been cleared to the extent of, I should think, between 95 per cent. and 100 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from lung cancer in England and Wales at the latest date; and what are the comparable figures for 1934 and 1944.

The provisional number of deaths attributed to cancer of the lung in 1954 is 16,332. The numbers of deaths so attributed in 1934 and 1944 were 2,775 and 6,684.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fear which exists throughout the country in view of the rapid increase in deaths through lung cancer? Can he at some time make some statement indicating what has been done to try to deal with the problem? Would the right hon. Gentleman himself try to expedite some sort of control over chemists dealing with food that goes into the household, because many people feel that nowadays food contains ingredients which should not be consumed by human beings and which help to cause cancer?

I could not accept the implication of the last part of that supplementary. It is true that this graph is rising steeply, and it is a matter of very great concern. A number of inquiries are going on, and most particularly the one that is being made by the Medical Research Council into the question whether there is any connection between smoking and this disease.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the great importance to the health of the community resulting from the pronouncements that he made on this subject some few months ago? Will he consider making a similar pronouncement setting forth our increased knowledge as a result of research up to date?

I recognise the public anxiety here, and I shall be very glad to consider this suggestion.

Would it not be true to say that, whatever be the cause of this disease—and many people now suspect what may be the cause—it cannot be the ingestion of any foodstuffs that is causing the rise in cancer of the lung, for it would affect women as well as men, and that it does not do?

Whatever may be the reason, it is true that this increase is very much more—indeed, it is more than twice as great—amongst men than women, which would seem to indicate a special cause.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that political party organisations are asking doctors for lists of patients for the purpose of the postal vote at the General Election; and if he will instruct National Health Service doctors to refuse to give this information in respect of National Health Service patients.

My right hon. Friend is certainly not aware of any such arrangements.

Will the hon. Lady inform her right hon. Friend that I have in my hand circular letters from Conservative associations to local doctors in their areas asking them to supply the Conservative Party with the names of blind, sick and aged patients on their registers in order that they may be contacted with a view to their having a postal vote? One of these letters, from the Hornsey Conservative Association, states:

"Mr. David Gammans, M.P., is particularly anxious that this should be done as the new electoral law severely restricts the number of cars to take electors to the poll in a General Election."

If the hon. Lady will let my right hon. Friend have the evidence, I can assure her that he will look into the matter. The vote is secret and, in their individual capacity, it is certainly helpful to see that as many as possible obtain their vote.

Will the hon. Lady, on behalf of her right hon. Friend, give an assurance that neither directly nor indirectly will those associated with the National Health Service be co-operators with any political party organisation in connection with the forthcoming Election? Is she aware that there was the strongest impression at the last Election that such malpractices took place?

I can certainly give the assurance that the Health Service will not be used in this way.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that, if this is done for both parties, it is in the interests of the electors that they should obtain a postal vote if they cannot go to the polls?

In view of the fact that the name of the Assistant Postmaster-General has been specifically mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn, East (Mrs. Castle), will the hon. Lady ask her right hon. Friend the Minister immediately to contact the Assistant Postmaster-General to find whether it is true that he has done this? If so, will the Minister take action immediately with the Prime Minister with a view to the removal of the Assistant Postmaster-General?

I have already said that if the hon. Member for Blackburn, East (Mrs. Castle) will let my right hon. Friend have the evidence, he will certainly look into it.

In view of the important allegations of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn, East (Mrs. Castle) and others, will the Minister of Health be good enough to make expeditious and immediate inquiries and make a statement a little later in the week?

Of course I will look into this at once. Whether I make a statement upon it depends on what I find when I look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a further statement about poliomyelitis vaccine in view of the decision taken in the United States of America to suspend all injections of Salk vaccine made by the Cutter Laboratories.

asked the Minister of Health what information he has now received in respect of deleterious effects arising from the use of the recently-discovered vaccine for poliomyelitis treatment; and what instructions have now been issued in regard to limited experimentation with this vaccine.

I am aware of the Press reports of action by the American authorities which, I assume, the hon. Members have in mind. As I mentioned in the House on the 25th April, a small field trial is being carried out by the Medical Research Council. All vaccine used in this trial, whether imported or manufactured here, will first have been the subject of rigorous tests by the Medical Research Council. Plans for large-scale immunisation are, of course, dependent on the Minister of Health being satisfied so far as is humanly possible as a result of these tests and trials that the vaccine to be used is both efficient and free from danger.

Would the Minister say whether any supplies of Salk vaccine from the Cutter Laboratories have been received in this country and whether he is satisfied that all possible information from the United States will be received to enable the experiments being made by the Ministry to be continued with the fullest advantage?

No Cutter vaccine has been received in this country. In reply to the second part of the supplementary question, we are in very close touch with the American authorities on all aspects of this problem.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet had information from America or elsewhere as to the cause of this deleterious effect of what might be a very beneficial vaccine? Secondly, when he is assured that there is no deleterious effect likely to arise from the use of this vaccine, may we take it that progress will be made in distributing the vaccine in order to deal with this very deplorable disease?

I have no information so far beyond the Press reports about what has happened in the last few days. In reply to the second part of the supplementary question, as soon as we are absolutely satisfied—and we must be so satisfied—that the vaccines we will use in this country are as safe as they can be made, there will be no delay in going ahead.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the House and the country are deeply grateful to him for his wise and cautious approach to this remedy and his refusal to be stampeded into unduly hasty action by many hon. Members and people outside the House?

Are the vaccines which are being made by the Glaxo Laboratories of their own special prescription, or according to a prescription imported from America?

I understand that what they are making is, in fact, the Salk vaccine. The difficulties in this case have arisen, I understand, from a batch made by the Cutter Laboratories. As we have none from those batches in this country, there should not be difficulty in that particular direction.

asked the Minister of Health what provision has been made in the National Health Service Estimates for 1955–56 for increases in wages and salaries negotiated during the last 12 months.

So far as England and Wales are concerned, about £5½ million more than is estimated to have been required in 1954–55 as the result of such increases.

Does that include the recent wage increase for nurses negotiated during the last few months and which has not yet been distributed to nurses?

Yes, and there is a big increase not included which will have to be covered presumably some time in the financial year—the one to dentists.

When will authority be given for the payment of salaries and wages increases already agreed upon by the National Whitley Council machinery?

I do not quite follow the question the right hon. Member has in mind. Insofar as we can be sure that increases will come within the financial year, they are covered by the Financial Estimate.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the high level of chest diseases, particularly tuberculosis and bronchitis, on Tyneside as compared with the rest of the country; and whether he will give all possible support both to research into causes and to provision of adequate facilities for treatment.

Yes, Sir. There is a particular research project in hand dealing with bronchitis in Newcastle. The methods of preventing chest diseases are, however, no different in one part of the country than in another and local authorities and medical officers of health were recommended in March, 1954, to intensify their preventive measures generally. I understand that the regional hospital board regards the number of beds available as generally adequate, but proposes to make improvements in the accommodation for in-patients and outpatients as soon as opportunity offers.

Is the Minister aware of the great anxiety because of the high incidence of tuberculosis and bronchitis in Newcastle and Tyneside compared with the rest of the country. Could further investigation be made with regard to that? Will the right hon. Gentleman give full support to the inquiry, to which he has referred, now taking place in regard to bronchitis and, in particular, consider any development of chest clinics to include more careful investigation about bronchitis as well as tuberculosis?

Yes, I am fully seized of the importance of this problem and of the high incidence in the area referred to. I will certainly do everything I can to encourage research. On the specific question of chest clinics, I understand that the regional hospital board has a number of plans for additional chest clinics. I think it intends to give priority to Gateshead, where I believe the problem is perhaps more serious than anywhere else.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in providing places in institutions for Berkshire children who have been certified as imbecile where it is necessary for the sake of other children in the family that a child should have institutional care.

The regional hospital board have in hand schemes which will provide some 360 additional beds for mental defectives. Sixty of these will come into use at once and the balance progressively over the next 12 months. Admission is governed primarily by the urgency of the need in the individual case and children in the category referred to by my hon. Friend would normally be in the highest priority group.

Will my right hon. Friend do his best to press forward these plans? Is he aware that in recent years this distressing problem has been rather neglected and that not only in Berkshire but throughout the Southern counties we have too many children having to stay at home and being denied proper institutional care? Is my right hon. Friend aware that it would be a great help and relief to many parents if these children could be better looked after?

We are no doubt slowly getting on top of this problem. The waiting list in the region to which my hon. Friend refers is 305 and my answer indicates that within a short time we shall have an additional 360 beds, which should cover most of the problem.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the assurance given to his predecessor by the East Anglian Hospital Board, in November, 1948, that representation of the views of Leicester should be given on the Cromer Hospital Management Committee is now not being carried out and that the recent nomination from the Leicester City Council to that committee has been ignored; and if he will take steps to see that the undertakings given when the Holt Convalescent Home was taken over from the Leicester City Council are implemented.

I understand that while on this occasion the nomination made by the city council was not accepted by the regional hospital board, the member actually appointed to the hospital management committee had represented the Leicester interest on the committee for the previous six years and had twice before been nominated by the council. I am however making further inquiries and will write to the hon. Member when they are complete.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the gentleman concerned was certainly a member of Leicester City Council but was defeated at the polls as a Conservative candidate and that this is the first time that the direct nominee of Leicester City Council has been rejected?

I said that I would look into the matter. As far as I am concerned, I think it is almost certainly a genuine mistake. As soon as it is cleared up, I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the work on the boilers of the Leicester Royal Infirmary to eliminate the emission of dust and grit; when this work is likely to be completed; and at what total cost.

I am informed that two boilers have been fitted with mechanical stokers of a more suitable type than that previously used. An economiser has been delivered and is to be installed and working before the end of the summer. The total estimated cost of this work is £9,200.

asked the Minister of Health how many tuberculosis cases from the Birmingham Regional Hospital Area and the City of Birmingham, respectively, are now in sanatoria in Switzerland.

I understand that the figures are ten under the National Health Service, of whom three are from the City of Birmingham.

Is the Minister aware that in the Midland region there are at present over 500 people waiting admission to sanatoria, including 322 from Birmingham? In view of the fact that so small a number has been sent to the Swiss sanatoria and the Minister has now indicated that the scheme is closing down in the autumn, will he consider keeping the scheme open until every man and woman who needs treatment in a sanatorium and is unable to get there shall have that treatment in Switzerland?

I should like to look at the figures the hon. Member has given, which are at variance with those in my possession. It is extremely difficult to make up the parties which go to the sanatoria. In the most recent party, which left on 27th April, there were two patients from the region which the hon. Member has mentioned, and they were the only two who were recommended as suitable by the consultants concerned.

In view of the fact that there are 900 patients who are mainly in the early stages of the disease or are people whose treatment has already reached a stage where six months rest would be particularly suitable in advancing recovery, why is it that many of these patients, who are still waiting admission to sanatoria, cannot go out to Switzerland? Is the Minister aware that I have had a scheme for five years whereby 32 boys went out there for six months? Is he aware that the education authority was afterwards able to dispense with special schools and send them to the ordinary schools, and that 90 per cent. of them benefited from this treatment? Why are the sanatoria now being closed?

I have explained the matter in my original statement. I have said that it is becoming extremely difficult to get suitable patients for these sanatoria and that the only two recommended from the region the hon. Member mentioned have been taken.

asked the Minister of Health what consideration he has given to the need to develop the Royal Infirmary and the City General Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent as a combined unit; and whether he will make a statement.

It is already the policy of the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board to develop these two hospitals as a combined unit. They intend to provide a joint out-patient, accident and casualty department but cannot yet say when it will be possible to fit this into the building programme.

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply and say that people in North Staffordshire have been looking forward to the association of these two great hospitals, which will provide roughly 1,500 beds and offer every type of facility to people who need them in every possible branch?

I understand that everybody concerned is anxious to get on with the integration of these hospitals, and where consultants are being appointed it is normal for them to be given sessions—no doubt a very good thing—at both hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health what number of hospital beds are available in Stoke-on-Trent for the Treatment of all conditions other than mental disease; and what is the total population which is served by this accommodation in North Staffordshire.

I am informed that the number in the group was 2,419 at the end of 1954 for an estimated population of 477,340.

Would it be fair to say that this is perhaps a little better than the national average?

No, Sir. I think it is about five per 1,000 population, which would make it, though not far away, a little worse.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the medical laboratory technicians employed at Black Notley Hospital, Essex, are dissatisfied at the delay in dealing with outstanding questions of salary revision and grading; what are the causes of the delay; and what steps are being taken to expedite the matter.

These are matters for the appropriate Whitley Council in the first place. I understand that a further meeting is being arranged to discuss them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Whitley Council negotiations have dragged on for a good many months and the staff side have been constantly put off by the management side? Would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to say a word to the management side in order to expedite the matter?

I understand that a meeting is being arranged later this month, which will discuss the matters which are mentioned in the hon. Member's Question. I think that some agreement on emergency duties has already been reached.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the overcrowding of patients in the Garlands Hospital, Carlisle, what proposals he has for providing additional accommodation.

Along with other proposals from other boards I am considering proposals from the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board to provide additional beds, but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to do so.

Does the Minister recollect that for three years or more now the position at this hospital has been brought to his attention? Is he aware that during that time the position has worsened and 1,000 patients are in accommodation designed for only 600? Will he please consider more urgently making this provision?

It is certainly true that there is overcrowding in this hospital, and I am afraid that that is true of many hospitals in this category in the country. The first decision in this matter rests with the regional hospital board in the priority which it will give the scheme. It is a matter which the board is now considering and will submit to me.

asked the Minister of Health why John Kitson, aged 10, who was admitted to Hampstead General Hospital on 30th March with a fractured and dislocated arm, received no medical attention for more than six hours, during which time he was offered neither food nor a sedative.

I am very much afraid that the facts are as stated and it is clear that the hospital staff failed grossly in providing proper attention. On behalf of the board of governors and myself I must apologise to the child's parents. I assure them that the board take a serious view of the whole incident and that those responsible have been severely reprimanded.

Whilst I welcome the admission by the Minister of the responsibility of the board of governors for this matter, and of course accept his assurance of regret, does he not agree that the public has been led to expect that the teaching hospitals should set a standard of conduct in these matters, and does that not make the incident even more deplorable?

No doubt that is true. I am bound to say that the only thing I welcome about this issue is that the hospital at once, frankly admitted an error. As we know, errors happen in the hospital service. I deeply regret that this should have happened, and my views have been put very strongly to those concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear it is his desire that at every general hospital there should be medical cover throughout the 24 hours and that so many doctors should not live away from their work as at present?

It is certainly desirable that, wherever possible, cover should be provided, if not on a 24-hour basis, at least urgently and near.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a further statement as to when a new accident and out-patient department can be started at the Newcastle General Hospital.

I am unable to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 15th November of last year.

Is the Minister aware that this is a rather unsatisfactory position, as a great deal of development is taking place at this hospital for regional needs for pathological and other matters without provision for such urgent matters as accidents and out-patient treatment, which is being woefully deferred? There is great anxiety because of the lack of provision in this regard.

Those matters are in the mind of the regional board. I understand that it is shortly to consider what to do about this project but has not yet fitted it into its programme.

Would the Minister at least consider providing that relatively small increase in capital grant needed to enable this work to be done within the current financial year?

I will look at any claim any region chooses to put to me.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that there is anxiety existing in Coventry at the negligible progress made in phase three rebuilding at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, following his grant of £80,000 for this purpose in March, 1954; and what action he proposes to take in the matter to speed up progress;

Progress on this scheme has been slower than I should have hoped, but I cannot accept any implication of unwarranted delay by the regional board or negligence by my Department. There is no reason for special instructions to the board, with whom my officers have kept in touch throughout. I regret that earlier estimates for 1954–55 were over-optimistic; but I am not aware that any announcement about the starting of the kitchen and clinical block on 1st September, 1954, was made by the working party to which the hon. Lady refers.

Is the Minister aware that that Answer is completely unsatisfactory? Is he further aware that we in Coventry did not believe that the delay was due to him? Does he really think that it is good enough to get up in this House and say that when a regional board has had a delay of seven months or more—in this case, some of the delay was 12 months—in submitting plans, he does not think that any blame should be attributed to the regional board? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to do nothing at all in this matter?

The hon. Lady made some very tempestuous observations on this subject last week, which I now gather she has discovered were wrong after studying my answers. Of coure I regret the delay, as I regret all delays in these matters, but there is nothing unusual in this particular delay. It is, I am afraid, quite common for regional boards and hospital management committees to overestimate the amount of work they can do in any year. Of course, this does not mean that the money will be lost. It will be used in this particular year. I hope that it will be used as soon as possible and that Coventry will get its hospital as soon as that can be done.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that in view of his answers last week we feel far more tempestuous now than we did then? Is he prepared to do nothing at all to get the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board to get a move on? This really is scandalous.

I am perfectly prepared to do anything I can to help the Coventry Hospital Management Committee and the regional hospital board. The services of the officers of my Department are at their disposal.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate shortage of nursing staff and student nurses in hospitals serving metropolitan Essex; and how many beds are not being used because of this shortage.

The shortage of all grades of nursing staff, including student nurses, is estimated at approximately 400; about 90 beds are out of use for lack of staff.

Does this not seem to indicate quite clearly that an effort should be made to secure some of the nurses and student nurses from the relatively overstaffed training hospitals in London? What is the hon. Lady doing about it?

We are negotiating with the General Nursing Council in an endeavour to bring about a scheme of seconding nurses from the general side to the mental side. I hope that the pilot scheme which has been suggested will produce results in this direction.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will give consideration to permitting an increase in the amount of other income which recipients of parents pensions receive without their parents pension being reduced, thus providing for the increase in the cost of living.

With permission, I shall make a statement at the end of Questions.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many dependants' pensions are in issue to the parents of deceased Service men; and what is the average amount of such pensions.

About 48,500 dependants' pensions based on need are in payment to the parents of deceased Service men. The average weekly value of these pensions is 16s. 4d.

Are we to understand that the average reduction from the 16s. 4d. pension is now 7s. 6d.?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman would be good enough to await the statement I am just about to make.

In that statement will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what it would cost him to meet such a concession as is asked for?

I think I would ask the hon. Member also to await my statement.

Will that figure be given in the statement the right hon. Gentleman is to give us?

I think that perhaps the hon. Gentleman had better see what the concession is before he asks what the cost of it is.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the number of people drawing National Assistance for each year since the war.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it has gone up or down in recent years?

I am glad to say that during the last 12 months the figures have practically stabilised.

Could my right hon. Friend convey that information to right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite so that they can use it in the Election?