asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the present system of treating outpatients at the Raigmore Hospital at Inverness sometimes causes unnecessary trouble to, and financial expenditure by, the out-patients; and whether he will review, and take steps to improve, this system.

I am not aware of any general complaint about the out-patient services at Raigmore. All boards of management have recently been asked to undertake a review of their out-patient departments and reports are at present awaited.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of complaints have been made about the system of treatment of out-patients at the Raigmore Hospital at Inverness during the last few years, and that a review of the system at present operating there would be very much in the interests of local people?

I agree with my hon. Friend, but, of course, the regional hospital board wishes to avoid all unnecessary travelling and hardship, and that matter is now being considered.