asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the number of operation cases in hospitals under his control that become infected, and to recent research as to how at least some of these misfortunes may be avoided; and what advice he proposes to give to hospitals in this connection accordingly.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a recently published report from the Standing Medical Advisory Committee on hospital staphylococcal infections. I am considering what steps are necessary to supplement this and other advice already brought to the notice of hospital authorities.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that it is necessary to have this valuable research, and will he recommend that the results should be put into practice by hospital authorities? If they receive such a recommendation from the Minister they are much more likely to do so. The suggestion will probably imply that the necessary finance is forthcoming.

The hon. Gentleman may know that the report which I have commended to hospital authorities contains many detailed suggestions for practical preventive measures most of which, I am glad to say, can be implemented without either great expense or difficulty.

Will the Minister circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information which he intends to send to my hon. Friend, because there is tremendous concern about these matters and Members of Parliament in general should know the answer?

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for his suggestion but what I am sending to his hon. Friend is a copy of the recently published report. I will certainly send one also to the hon. Gentleman. I think that would be the best course.