asked the Minister of Supply the cost of providing 1,500 new bearskins for the Guards; and how many of the skins required for this purpose have been ordered from Canada.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements he has made to obtain supplies of bearskins from Canada.

It is not in accordance with normal practice to reveal the prices being paid or likely to be paid for individual items of supply. As it is the current practice of the Ministry of Supply to buy bearskin caps complete, leaving the manufacturer to procure the skin and any other materials, we have no skins on order from Canada or elsewhere. We are, however, as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War said on 22nd April, investigating the offer made by the Mayor of Timmins to the Brigade of Guards.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary and his right hon. Friend prevent the use of the Department's time in such a futile transaction which leads to no better result than the killing of bears to provide bearskins for the Guards? Since the Minister himself is present, will he not consult the Commander-in-Chief of the Guards and inform him that the Worcesters and the Royal Welch have achieved the highest peaks of military fame without the aid of even a rabbit skin?

The request to my right hon. Friend from his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to investigate the offer by the Mayor of Timmins was a normal request to the Department responsible for the supply of this kind of store. With regard to the latter part of the question, I am not responsible for the War Office, and I doubt whether my right hon. Friend would feel any different than I.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that ladies now wear fur coats made of nylon? Why on earth cannot the Guards wear bearskins made of nylon?

I understand that the development of a suitable form of nylon fur for this kind of purpose is being investigated. There are, however, a number of difficult manufacturing problems which have still to be overcome before any positive conclusion can be reached.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, in the past, Russia has often supplied skins for this purpose and, whilst in no way decrying the Canadian offer, there are other sources of supply which may make it quite unnecessary to embark upon a massacre of 500 bears in Canada?

I have made inquiries of the manufacturers about their source for fur, and I understand that they go to the London Fur Market. The country of origin of bearskins today is, I understand, principally Russia, although a number of skins were bought from Canada before the war. Concerning the latter part of the question, I was merely asked to investigate the matter from the standpoint of supply and of some of the other technical aspects involved.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the urgent requirement for a British space research project; what discussions have now taken place with member nations of the Commonwealth for the creation of a joint scientific and technical staff to promote this research and for payment of appropriate financial contributions; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the estimated cost of a five-year programme designed to lift British research satellites into space powered by a combination of Black Knight and Blue Streak missiles.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will now make a further statement on the policy of using for scientific research the equipment being developed for the Royal Air Force.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) to what extent his Department has considered, from the point of view of technical possibilities, the official proposal made by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for a space research project on an international basis;

asked the Minister of Supply if the Government have yet decided whether there is sufficient scientific data to be obtained from an earth-space satellite launching to warrant a planned programme.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement upon the estimated cost of launching a British research satellite, taking into account that the cost of the parent missile will already have been met to a large extent by defence expenditure; and whether, in the light of that estimate, he will now state the Government's intentions for a research satellite project.

I must ask hon. Members to await the statement of policy which, I hope, will be made shortly. Meanwhile, co-operation with scientists of other countries, including Commonwealth countries and Soviet Russia, is taking place on the International Committee on Space Research.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the problem of the number of British scientists seeking employment in the United States in this field is not likely to be solved and, indeed, may be positively enhanced if the Government's programme proves, in the end, to be no more than to lease a certain proportion of space in a United States' satellite?

As I indicated last week, the problem of British scientists and their possible exile is a most important consideration.

When the right hon. Gentleman comes to make a statement on this matter, will he bear in mind that my Question refers particularly to the use of equipment which is being developed for military purposes? Therefore, any project based on that will be very cheap indeed.

I understood that that was the drift of the Question.

Could the Minister say whether the Royal Society has proved to him that there is sufficient scientific data to be gained from an earth-space satellite launching? Secondly, in consideration of the report to the House, are the Government considering the setting up of a special scientific committee under the right hon. Gentleman's guidance with delegated responsibility for this programme?

As the hon. Member knows, I informally referred this question to some Fellows of the Royal Society some time ago, and they reported that results of considerable scientific usefulness would be obtained from space research. In answer to the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question about the Government's decision, I must ask him to await the statement.

May I repeat a question which I put to my right hon. Friend some months ago on this matter? If it is a question of shortage of finance, can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that financial support will be asked for from the Commonwealth first, in preference to any country outside the Commonwealth?

As I think I indicated last week, the Government have much in mind the scope which any space research programme would offer for Commonwealth co-operation.

If the Government decide to go on with a project, will the Minister bear in mind that this seems to be an admirable opportunity for cooperation not only with the Commonwealth but also with other European countries, as he himself mentioned during the defence debate?

I readily concede that there are opportunities here for co-operation with other countries.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement indicating with what success tenders have been received for 650,000 pairs of War Department surplus boots; and from which countries offers have been received.

The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to hear that the issue was heavily over-subscribed and acceptances in respect of 98 per cent. of the total quantity have already been issued. All tenders were in accordance with the conditions of the offer which preclude resale on the home market. Countries overseas from which direct offers were received were the United States of America, Germany, France, Sweden, Holland, Rhodesia-Nyasaland and Kenya.

asked the Minister of Supply with which European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation his Department is co-operating in the development of Blue Streak or other thermo-nuclear missiles.

None, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether West Germany has been included among the countries to whom his invitation was extended? If so, why are the Government encouraging West Germany to engage in research and development of weapons, which is forbidden by the Brussels Treaty?

The Government's invitation was conveyed to the N.A.T.O. countries in general, of which, of course, Germany is one. The Brussels Treaty does not, in fact, refer to research and development; it refers to production.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the discussions held with the Minister of Labour concerning the giving of Government contracts to the Remploy factory. Coventry.

There have been no discussions dealing specifically with the Remploy Factory at Coventry, but, as I told the hon. Lady on 20th April, we are giving Remploy preference whenever possible.

While appreciating that the Minister is probably doing that, does he realise that locally we view this as a problem where we have a handful of men awaiting entry; and would it not be a good deal better for them and for the country to pay them for doing a job rather than have them sitting at home doing nothing?

I appreciate that, but the hon. Lady will also appreciate that the Ministry of Supply can place orders only for goods which are required by the Services. In reply to a supplementary question from the hon. Lady last week, I undertook to do what I could to help this factory, but it is not easy when the requirements of the Services have fallen considerably.

asked the Minister of Supply why there has been a delay in ordering the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy 660 required by the Royal Air Force.

Since January last, when it was announced that the Royal Air Force proposed to adopt a military version of the Argosy, my Department and the Air Ministry have been working out with the firm the details of the specification. The firm has been invited to tender for the supply of the aircraft to this specification. The order will be confirmed as soon as possible consistently with my being satisfied that the price quoted is reasonable.

Since the aircraft already exists and the modifications for military use will be comparatively minor, may we take it that the delay in placing the order is because this time the Ministry of Supply will get the kind of contract which will meet the requirements of the Public Accounts Committee and really give value for money?

The aircraft does not exist at the moment. The military version does entail modifications from the civilian version, and much of the time which has elapsed has been taken up with the study of this question. At the same time, I am most sensitive to charges that costs of weapons ultimately turn out to be much greater than their original estimates, and I am most anxious to avert any such development in this case.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the privation suffered by disabled workers at the Remploy factory, Coventry, and elsewhere, because their invalid chairs accommodate only the driver, and that it would give much pleasure if a passenger could be included; and if he will consider doing so where possible.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 13th April to the hon. Members for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) and Rochdale (Mr. McCann).

I heard those replies, but will the Ministry consider doing something about the matter where it is possible for another seat to be placed in these vehicles? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, when I visited the Remploy factory at Coventry some seven weeks ago, I was shown a Coventry-built Tippen tricycle in which there seemed to be adequate room for two people? Will the hon. Gentleman look into the matter?

The need to provide space in tricycles for carrying another kind of folding chair rather militates against that. As the hon. Lady will have heard last week, I understand that the ex-Service men's associations are carrying out inquiries and experiments in this connection. Perhaps we had better see what comes from that.

asked the Minister of Health how many prosecutions have taken place in respect of infringements of the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955; and what steps are taken to ensure that these Regulations are known and respected.

There have been successful prosecutions for offences against almost every Regulation, but I regret that I have no complete record. The Regulations have had a wide circulation through local authorities and trade associations. Visits, advice and persuasion by local authority officials are supplemented by publicity designed to remind those who handle food and the public generally of the importance of food hygiene.

Will not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the food in the home is equally important, and can he say what steps are taken to draw the attention of the general public to this matter?

I agree with the first point made by my hon. Friend. Broadly, the publicity methods which I have described apply also to that, although not, of course, the question of prosecution.

Is the Minister satisfied that imported foods, such as dried egg albumen, frozen liquid eggs and organic fertilisers, are properly inspected? Does he not think, possibly, that more pasteurisation of certain imported foods is necessary in view of the increased incidence of food poisoning?

The answer to the first part of the right hon. Lady's supplementary question is "Yes", but if she has any reason to suppose otherwise and will communicate it to me, I will look at it with attention. In answer to the second part of her supplementary question, I think that probably this is not necessary, but I will certainly consider any suggestion which she puts forward.

asked the Minister of Health if he will indicate the numbers of children of 16 years or under suffering from sugar diabetes; and to what extent there has been an increase in the number in recent years.

I am afraid that no precise figures are available, but I understand that there is no reason to suppose that the incidence of the disease is changing.

I am glad to know that the Minister does not think there is an increase, but may I ask him whether he is satisfied that everything is being done to educate the public about young diabetics in view of the fact that there have been cases of hypoglycaemia having been mistaken for drunkenness?

It is not a disease which is confined to children. In fact, a large amount of the incidence, which itself is relatively low, is to be found in people of over 40; but I will certainly look at the question in the context of children to see whether any further advice is required.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent there has been a decline in Coventry recently in the uptake of welfare foods, particularly orange juice and cod liver oil; and if he will give the figures of the uptake of these two for the periods 1950 to 1954, and since 1955, in Coventry.

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT such figures as are readily available.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell me whether there has been any decrease in Coventry and, if there has, whether it is lesser or bigger than that in any other industrial cities? In general, has such a decrease affected the health of young children? What does the Ministry propose to do about it?

So far as I am aware, it has not affected the health of young children. I have no figures relating solely to other industrial cities, but looking at the national picture as a whole, on average, it is about the same: some increase in take-up of orange juice, some fall in cod liver oil.

Does the hon. Gentleman recollect that last week, when there were a number of similar Questions on the Paper, I asked him what advice his scientific advisers had given him on this question of the decrease in consumption of welfare foods and that he was then unable to answer the question? Can he answer it today?

My recollection of the matter is that I answered it at the time by saying that the question of the possible late appearance of deficiency characteristics in children was a matter which my scientific advisers had certainly taken into account as well as the right hon. Lady's. and that they considered that, on balance, the advice which they gave us, which was scientific advice, was correct.

I ask the Parliamentary Secretary or the Minister to answer this question. A number of hon. Members on both sides of the House have put down Questions asking about the decrease in the consumption of orange juice and cod liver oil. I want to be fair in this matter, because there is a thought in my mind of a report on the over-consumption of orange juice. Therefore, I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary, for his sake and his Department's sake, as well as that of hon. Members, to tell us precisely what is the view of his scientific advisers with regard to the decrease in consumption. There is a scientific aspect to this matter. Will he tell the House?

I had hoped I had answered that. The point is this. There has not been a decrease in take-up of orange juice amongst those classes of children still entitled to take it up. There has been some decrease in take-up of cod liver oil, and this is largely associated with the fact that the recommendation now is that children should take it by the drop and not by the spoonful.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the inadequate supplies of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine to certain cities; on what assessment he bases his allocation to counties, cities and towns; and what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate supplies are maintained for each such place.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the poliomyelitis vaccination clinic in Manchester is unable to meet the demand for vaccinations owing to vaccine shortage; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that adequate supplies of vaccine are made available immediately.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the supply and distribution of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine is adequate to meet the recent increased demand.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there was a sufficient quantity of polio vaccine available for the national needs; and what was the cause of the failure of an adequate supply in various districts.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent he is able to import all the Salk type of poliomyelitis vaccine that is needed to augment supplies of British made vaccine; what proportion of vaccine is imported compared with British vaccine; and how far all demands are being met.

asked the Minister of Health what was the reason for the recent maldistribution of poliomyelitis vaccine.

Vaccine is allocated on the basis of monthly requisitions from local health authorities, whose estimated needs for this month were delivered by the 4th April. A very welcome though belated rise occurred shortly after that date in the response from young people, of whom only one in twelve had registered for vaccination by the end of February. As, however, it came very suddenly and was unexpectedly steep, a considerable number of local health authorities had to ask urgently for additional supplies of vaccine. These requests have all been met, a million extra doses having been distributed. Further large supplies will be issued to meet the needs of May, including a million doses of imparted Salk and the vaccine available from British producers.

Does the Minister realise that, owing to the failure of supplies by his Department, the anti-polio campaign in Aberdeen had to be stopped? Does he not agree that for large numbers of willing citizens to be deprived of this vaccine, a matter of life and death, is an admission of shocking failure on the part of the Government and on the part of private enterprise firms on which they rely? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take steps to see that this does not occur again?

The hon. and learned Member is completely, catastrophically and characteristically wrong in almost everything he has said. There has been no maldistribution on the part of my Department at all. I have already pointed out that both the original requests and the supplementary requests have been met. As for any delays in delivering vaccine, these have been very slight. and those who have had to wait at all for vaccine could have been vaccinated months ago if they had registered when I asked them.

Despite the vehemence of the Minister's reply to my hon. and learned Friend, is it not a reflection on the right hon. and learned Gentleman's administration that so soon after his very powerful appeal to young people to come forward immediately to be vaccinated against polio, the supply of the vaccine completely broke down all over the country? That is the general aspect. On the particular aspect, may I ask whether supplies to the Manchester clinics are now adequate to meet not only the current requirements but also the estimated requirements arising from the Minister's own broadcast?

Yes, Sir. I repeat, in answer to the general part of the supplementary question, that there was no question of any wholesale breakdown in the country, and it is quite wrong for any hon. Member to make such a suggestion. What happened was that some local health authorities, instead of requiring a preliminary registration, vaccinated on demand at open clinics, first of all, in order to encourage young people to come forward and then in order to cope with those large numbers. In doing it on that basis, there were necessarily occasional local difficulties of supply.

Is the Minister aware that he has made a great mistake in adopting this attitude in the House? Is he aware that the six or seven Questions today from hon. Members representing different parts of the country—[An HON. MEMBER: "And Norway."]—represent the views of medical officers of health in the country? In view of the fact that the Minister read a statement, may I also read a statement which, I am sure, all hon. Members would like to hear?

No.

The right hon. and learned Gentleman the Minister made a statement because he was asked for one, but the function of the right hon. Lady the Member for Warrington (Dr. Summerskill) here is to ask a question and not to make a statement. I hope that she will do that. If she desires to make a speech on this subject, my advice to her is to raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment, when it can be done much more appropriately.

Is the Minister aware that last week Middlesex County Council told the doctors of Middlesex that promises made to it of supplies of poliomyelitis vaccine had not been fulfilled, that no further vaccine would be available until May, that the only way in which the authority could meet its present commitments was to refuse to give any third injection and that those people who were applying now could be given only one injection? I have copies of the letters. In view of these letters, how can the Minister tell us that there has been no administrative failure?

The right hon. Lady really has a remarkable faculty for getting herself into a muddle.

Here are copies of the letters. I put them on the Table for the right hon. and learned Gentleman.

Only one injection is ever given to start with, as the right hon. Lady ought to know. Then four or five weeks elapse before the second injection is given. I have already said that more vaccine is already going out this month. Although I am not on notice about Middlesex, I am quite certain that its demands, or supplementary demands, have been or are being met in the course of this week.

Does the Minister realise that these children were deprived of their third injection which would have given them full protection this summer? I pass the letters to the Minister, because in no circumstances would I make a wrong statement on this subject. The instructions were that the children who were ready for their third injection, which would give them full protection, were not to be given it but that that injection was to be given to new cases.

It is within the discretion of the particular local authority—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Of course it is. It is within the discretion of each local authority how it arranges its programme. It is obvious that if we get a sudden concentration of demand from young adults it is more difficult to give the third injections to the children at the same time. But I come back to the point that if there had been a higher registration earlier, it would have been easier for local health authorities and general practitioners to carry out the vaccination programme.

May I refer to Question No. 38, in which I asked what proportion of vaccine is imported compared with British vaccines? Can the Minister tell me if he has such figures? Is it not a fact that all our batches of British vaccine are carefully tested by the Medical Research Council? Can he say whether the imported vaccine is also tested by the Council and, if not, whether we accept the testing agencies in the United States? Will he give an assurance that we will always test vaccine, irrespective of the delay that it may sometimes cause?

In answer to the first part of the supplementary question, we have distributed 26¼ million doses of vaccine, of which 10¼ million have been British and 16 million have been imported. As for the second part of the supplementary question, in regard to testing, no vaccine is issued in this country which has not been tested and licensed for use in the country of origin. For a rather fuller statement, perhaps the hon. Member would be good enough to look again at the report of my speech on 1st May last year.

As it took the tragic death of a very fine footballer to bring about this tremendous increase in demand, which has strained the resources of distribution, where Ministerial appeals failed in the past, will the Minister now consider appealing to prominent sportsmen in different fields to give their support to a national campaign and at the same time make sure that supplies of vaccine are available to meet the possible resulting demand?

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. We were already engaged in concerting these appeals before the tragic event to which the hon. Member has referred took place. The supply of vaccine engages our attention and, where necessary, we supplement our British supplies with the importation of Salk vaccine.

In view of the answers that he has given, will the Minister explain how it came about that a firm in this country said that sufficient vaccine was available for all national purposes—was that at his instigation?—and that there had been some mess-up with regard to the distribution of vaccine? If that is correct, how does it happen that half a million doses of vaccine had to be imported very hurriedly from America? Was he aware of the necessity of this? In view of the campaign that he carried out, why was not he prepared for any contingency that might arise?

I understand that the firm to which the hon. Member refers has denied making the statement which he has just repeated. As for the importation of vaccine, if the hon. Member will look again at the report of my speech on 1st May last year, he will see that, following Medical Research Council's advice, we used British vaccine so far as possible as our first priority. We come to the imported vaccine only when we think that a supplement is required. There has been no difficlty about this either in regard to procurement or distribution, except in the strictly local context to which I have referred.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many cases of leprosy were known in the United Kingdom at 31st December, 1958;

At 31st December, 1958, there were 275 cases of leprosy known in the United Kingdom. I regret that information as to the country of birth of persons suffering from leprosy is not available.

In view of the fact that there were only 46 cases in 1951 and that the number has now risen to 275, can my right hon. Friend give any reason for the alarming increase? Can he also tell me why it is impossible to analyse such a small figure in order to get the countries of origin of patients suffering from this dread disease?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is that this disease is contracted outside this country. That is why I cannot tell him specifically to what the increase is due. As for the second part of his supplementary question, if he will read the Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations, 1951, he will see what particulars have to be notified to the chief medical officer, and that they do not include the country of birth. It would require a statutory amendment to obtain that information.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the situation is becoming so serious that some regulations should be observed, particularly in regard to people coming to this country suffering from this disease?

I do not think that the numbers show a situation which could be described as serious. It is true that there are more cases than there were, but these are being treated and there is no evidence of a spread of leprosy in this country.

asked the Minister of Health in which hospitals in the United Kingdom patients are treated for leprosy.

There are two special units in England and Wales where in-patient treatment is given, one of which is outside the National Health Service. In addition, many sufferers from leprosy can be treated as out-patients at hospitals without special facilities. I am informed that in Scotland patients are treated at any major infectious diseases hospital or at the tropical diseases unit of the Eastern General Hospital, Edinburgh.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has noted the appreciable fall in the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in some county boroughs for the year 1957 as compared with the average for the years 1953 to 1956; and for what causes the figure in Stoke-on-Trent is less than that in Bournemouth.

Yes, Sir, I am glad to note that the incidence fell in most county boroughs. It is difficult to give precise reasons for local variations in incidence, but the difference may be partly due to the higher proportion of older people in Bournemouth, which is the age group where there is now a relatively high incidence of the disease.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that for many years there has been a very vigorous mass X-ray examination of the whole population in Stoke-on-Trent? Can he say whether he thinks our early methods of diagnosis and vigorous treatment have something to do with it? Can he tell us whether mass X-ray investigations of the same kind have taken place in Bournemouth?

I should require notice of the second part of that supplementary question, but I certainly accept what the hon Member said in the first part. I consider that these mass operations have had a most beneficial effect.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the incidence rate of tuberculosis amongst women aged from 20 to 44 years, in Stoke-on-Trent for 1957.

I regret that the exact information requested is not available. The number of such cases notified was 35, a reduction of 15 on the previous year's figure.

While we all welcome the reduction in the number in this large group, does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that, not only in Stoke-on-Trent but in the country as a whole, the number is high among this large group compared with numbers in other groups? Could not some special investigation be made to see why it should be particularly high in this large group of women?

I think the accuracy of what the hon. Lady has said is generally accepted, but I am not persuaded that any further inquiry would be helpful in this respect.

asked the Minister of Health, with regard to current consideration of chiropody treatment at health service clinics, what progress has been made with a registration scheme for all chiropodists taking part in the service on the lines suggested by their association.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe (Mrs. Hill) on 13th April.

Could the Minister explain what is the point of dispute between himself and this association? Is it that the Minister thinks there is not sufficient skill required and, therefore, no necessity for registration? What is the point of dispute between himself and this organisation?

We are at one in thinking that there should be a registration scheme. The difference at present arises between the point of view of the medical auxiliaries, on the one hand, and the Joint Consultants' Committee, on the other. It is that difference I have been seeking to help to resolve.

Have any further steps been taken since the Answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe (Mrs. Hill)? Is he aware that we are all very anxious to know of progress being made and that it would be better, perhaps, to state that than to go backwards when no one knows what has happened from the start?

There is no question of going backwards. We are going forwards and trying to obtain agreement between the points of view of the medical auxiliaries and the Joint Consultants' Committee. The Secretary of State and I are now considering the points put forward by the Joint Consultants' Committee in this general context.

asked the Minister of Health if he will set up a committee to investigate the use of hypnosis by persons without medical qualifications.

No, Sir. Hypnosis is by no means the only form of treatment which may be carried out by people without medical qualifications, and I am not aware of any need for a special investigation.

Is the Minister aware that hypnosis is now being exploited in connection with the 11-plus examination, and in connection with the test for learner-drivers and goodness knows what else? Does he not think that these developments ought to be investigated by some responsible people before the situation gets out of hand? Does he not realise that he has a responsibility in this matter?

I am concerned with the medical use of hypnotism. As the hon. Member may know, it was investigated and reported on by the Psychological Medicine Group Committee of the British Mental Association in 1955.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the Royal Commission on doctors' pay.

The Royal Commission expects to receive all outstanding information by the autumn and, thereafter, it will report as soon as possible.

Was not the Royal Commission asked to make its Report a matter of urgency? In view of the fact that the last information from the Minister was that he expected the Report this summer, why has there been further delay?

The Royal Commission is proceeding as quickly as it can compatible with doing the job it was asked to do. In response to the hon. Member, or other hon. Members, I pass on expectations as I receive them from the Royal Commission.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take to ensure the development by regional hospitals boards of facilities for the treatment of patients suffering from mental disorder on the lines indicated by the Mental Health Bill; and what special capital and maintenance allocations he will make available to boards for this purpose.

There are 150 Clauses and eight Schedules in the Mental Health Bill and the hon. Member's Question is cast in general terms. In general, developments in accordance with the principles underlying the Mental Health Bill and our approach to these problems, are already taking place in hospitals on an expanding basis, and more may be expected.

Does not the Minister agree that if the Bill means anything at all it will inevitably mean a considerable expansion of the mental hospital services now in existence, and that he will not get that extension and expansion unless some special allocations are made for this purpose to regional hospital boards?

In answer to the first part of the supplementary question, as the hon. Member knows, one of the basic principles of the Royal Commission and a principle underlying this Bill is a shift of emphasis from institutional care to care in the community, so that will affect the amount of provision required by hospitals, but, of course, there is much more money available now for capital development in hospitals than there used to be, and about one-third of the regional boards' allocations go in the mental health field.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that it is of little use giving publicity to the fact that directions will be given to local authorities regarding this matter unless local authorities and regional hospital boards also know how much money they will have to spend on this service?

The regional hospital boards make their own allocations to the mental health part of their programmes out of their steadily increasing total allocations. In regard to the local health authority field, the right hon. Lady knows the figures I have already given about the sum included in the general grant calculation for this purpose for the next two-year period.

While everybody is very happy that in the Bill the Minister has included most of the Royal Corn-mission's recommendations, is he aware that most of those recommendations depended upon the Commission's other recommendation that there should be a percentage grant to local authorities for a limited period, because this is a new and expanding service in local authorities and progress in it and in new development depends upon additional contributions from the Treasury?

Yes, but that recommendation was made before the Local Government Act, 1958, in which the Government, for good reasons which are well known, adopted the principle of the general grant. I think that the best provision possible has been made within that context.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what compensation has been paid to Miss Edith Haithwaite for her illegal detention in Rampton Mental Hospital for seventeen years and seven months until released by a decision of the Divisional Court of the Queen's Bench Division;

The Board of Control acted in good faith in detaining Miss Haithwaite on an order made by a court and valid on the face of it, and, therefore, no compensation has been paid. On discharge she was, in accordance with existing practice, given an outfit of clothing and a payment of £1, together with the credit balance of £1 4s. 10d. in her hospital account. The local health authority was advised of her discharge so that it could give her any necessary help.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think it is disgraceful that this woman was held illegally for nearly eighteen years and that for several years she worked all day long on the sock-making machine and at night, after the patients went to bed, was cleaning and sweeping up the place for 6s. a week? Is he aware that she could not wear the clothes which were given her on her discharge because she appeared such a ludicrous figure in them? Does he not think something should be done to help this poor woman who is now out of work? Is it not a shame? Does this not reveal the shocking system of slave labour in mental hospitals?

The hon. Gentleman is accustomed to use extravagant language on these matters—

It is true. Six bob a week.

—which I and thinking people generally will, I am sure, discount. Miss Haithwaite was, in fact, receiving a weekly reward payment of I Is. for work in the knitting room at the time she was discharged. It has been explained over and over again to the hon. Gentleman that these payments are intended only as an inducement to patients to engage and persist in therapeutic activity. Some of the work is useful to the hospitals, some is not, but that is not the criterion. It is the therapeutic aspect for the patient which is the criterion which we have to have in mind.

While everybody accepts the fact that the therapeutic aspect is important, does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not agree that it is possible to run these mental hospitals at a cost of £6 10s. per head, as against between £20 and £30 per head for general hospitals, only because the patients in the mental hospitals are able to do the necessary work? Surely it would be right and proper, after this woman has worked for seventeen years giving good service to the hospitals, that some arrangement should be made whereby she could be allowed to face the world with more than £1 in her possession?

No, I think the basic reason for the difference between the costs of these hospitals and the general hospitals is not so much that referred to by the right hon. Lady as the difference in the cost of treatment and the different ratio of long-stay patients in the mental hospitals. If the remuneration were to be tied to the economic value to the hospital, it might have a beneficial effect for some patients and an adverse effect for others. It would also not be a proper criterion, as I have said, in deciding upon the sort of work which ought to be offered in the therapeutic interest of the patient.

Here is a lady who was detained illegally for seventeen years and who has been discharged and has been given only £1. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whose responsibility it is for ensuring that somebody who has been illegally detained in this way is properly rehabilitated in life outside the hospital? He will appreciate that nowadays £1 will last little beyond a day.

It is true that her order was invalid in that it was made without jurisdiction, but if the right hon. Gentleman will study the judgment of the Divisional Court he will see that Mr. Justice Hilbery pointed out, in giving judgment, that the Court was far from satisfied that the application for discharge was in the patient's interest—

Oh.

—and also that it must not be thought that the court was saying that she was not a mental defective and might have been properly certified and placed and detained in an institution.

May I put it to the Minister that, surely, when a release of this kind is made, arrangements should be made by the appropriate authorities to ensure that somebody in these circumstances is adequately provided for immediately with accommodation.

Yes, the question of subsistence in case of need in that as in other cases is the responsibility of the National Assistance Board—

Shocking.

In that as in other cases, of course; but the right hon. Gentleman was referring more specifically to rehabilitation, and, therefore, it is proper that the hospital should advise the local health authority in order that it can follow up the case and give any necessary assistance in that context which is required. That was the procedure followed in this case.

asked the Minister of Health at what date it was possible, in view of the need at the time to make good serious war damage in Bristol, to embark upon schemes of hospital improvement in that city.

Since the start of the National Health Service in 1948, despite other claims, funds have been available for hospital improvement, including making good war damage in Bristol, as elsewhere.

That is not an answer to the Question. I asked when it was possible to make a beginning with the improvements to the hospital services following the end of the war.

Figures before 1948 are not readily available, but in the first nine months of the period from the appointed day in July, 1948, to April, 1949, the capital expenditure of the hospital management committees in Bristol and of the united Bristol hospitals was about £100,000. It cannot be said precisely how much of that was in respect of war-damage repair, but probably only a small proportion, because although Bristol sustained fairly heavy damage, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the hospitals were relatively little affected

asked the Minister of Health why he found it necessary to cut the estimates of the South Western Regional Hospital Board by £534,000 in the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Health why the estimated requirement of the South Western Regional Hospital Board was reduced by over £500,000; and, in view of the need for development and improvement of the health services in this region and the increased expenditure on salaries and wages, if he will reconsider his decision.

The requests of hospital boards exceeded the total amount available for allocation to hospital authorities on revenue account. That amount is, however, substantially higher than boards' probable expenditure for last year; and the share allocated to the South Western Regional Hospital Board is, in my view, sufficient not only to enable the existing level of services to be maintained, but also to permit further developments and improvements.

That seems a plausible explanation. but is the Minister not aware that the South Western Regional Hospital Board, as recently as 11th April, stated that to the difference of £533,000 there should be added £68,000 for increased prices, and that of its estimates £444,000 were in respect of salary and wage increases? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Board has stated that it has now been compelled to make cuts on the services? Is he satisfied with that situation?

All regional boards' shares included provision for enabling them to bring into use new capital projects completed during the year and for further general developments and improvements, as well as such matters as progress towards the 88-hour fortnight. I am not aware of this particular statement by the Board, but I am aware that boards were invited to discuss the matter if they so wished and that this Board has not evinced any such desire.

asked the Minister of Health how many whole-time consultants have transferred to part-time maximum sessions in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

The information asked for is not immediately available. I am having the necessary inquiries made and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Does not the Minister agree that this information ought to be available to Parliament? Does he not also agree that these transfers from whole-time to part-time, however financially advantageous they may be to consultants, are detrimental to the hospital service and should be discouraged not only by his Department but also by the Inland Revenue?

In reply to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, this information will be available when I have made inquiries. I am glad to tell him, however, that at the end of this year the improved statistical procedures which we have instituted will enable such information to be given without making these individual inquiries. On the second part of the supplementary question, the hon. Member will be aware of the safeguarding of part-time consultant work by Section 12 of the National Health Service (Amendment) Act, 1949. As to the third part of the question, we had better wait and see whether the Royal Commission has anything to say on this matter when it reports.

asked the Minister of Health how the provision of beds for maternity cases in Cardiff hospitals compares with other areas and with the needs of the area.

At 31st December, 1958, 205 maternity beds were being provided, or 0·546 beds per thousand population, compared with 0·435, in 1957, for England and Wales and 0·492 for Wales alone. This does not seem unreasonable, but the position will be kept under review in the light of the needs of the area and the recent recommendations of the Maternity Services Committee.

In view of the fact that there are still a number of cases in Cardiff where hospital treatment is desirable because of inadequate home conditions, has the Minister any plans for improving the supply of beds available for maternity purposes?

Works of improvement are going on at the Maternity Dept. of St. David's Hospital which, while they will not add to the number of beds, will improve the accommodation in a general sense. There will also be extra maternity provision in the building of the Cardiff Teaching Hospital, about which the hon. Member knows.

When will that be finished?

We have to begin it first.

asked the Minister of Health what number of children's beds was provided by the conversion of part of the Iver Cottage Hospital in 1952; and in what years the 21 children who subsequently used them were admitted.

Twelve beds were provided and patients were admitted each year from 1953 to 1957, inclusive.

Since the total of those was apparently 21 throughout all those years, does not my hon. Friend think it was a great pity that half this hospital was set aside for a use for which there was plainly no local requirement?

It is always easy to judge backwards in these matters. I do not think the board could have expected to foresee at the start that the staffing position, which is really responsible, would deteriorate to the extent that it has.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated cost of adapting the Iver Cottage Hospital, Buckinghamshire, as a preliminary training school for nurses; how many nurses could then be accommodated; to what hospital they would be attached; and what transport arrangements for them are envisaged.

I have not yet received the board's proposals, but I understand they have in mind a preliminary training school to serve the hospitals of the Windsor Group. Nurses would live there for the period of preliminary training, and no transport arrangements would be required.

Is it not a great pity that yet more money should be spent on adapting this building for a use for which, also, there is no local requirement for the future?

We have not yet had the details of the proposals from the board as to exactly what it proposes to do, but I could not altogether accept the suggestion of my hon. Friend that there was no local requirement for further nurse training.

asked the Minister of Health how many applicants seeking admission recently to All Saints Hospital, Birmingham, as voluntary patients were informed that there was no bed available; and how many of these applicants were later admitted as three-day order cases.

I regret the information is not available.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as I know, there is quite a large number? Is it not rather unfortunate that this method should be used? Would it not be better for them to come in as voluntary patients than on a three-day order?

That is quite understandable, but I understand from the local health authorities mainly concerned that, on occasion, there have been some difficulties in securing the admission of voluntary patients. There is no question here of a three-day order under Section 20 of the Lunacy Act having been used except in the interests of patients and in conformity with the requirements of the Section.