asked the Minister of Health if he will consider sending a proportion of tuberculosis cases to Continental sanatoria in order to relieve the waiting list for beds in this country.

I have no power to do so. There is nothing in the National Health Service Act to empower the Minister or regional hospital boards to provide treatment abroad, or to contribute to the cost of it.

Is the Minister aware that it is only the slight cases which can at present get into hospitals and that more advanced cases, which have little hope of being cured, cannot get into any sanatorium? Would he take steps to see that they can be given this opportunity?

I have no power to do it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do something about it?