asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many new houses are being provided in 1973–74 for the staff of the Holloway Sanatorium, Virginia Water.

Four houses have been purchased, and negotiations are in hand for 12 more; none is being built this year by the hospital authority.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the acute housing problems for hospital staff in north-west Surrey? Will he give his approval to the setting up of housing associations by the hospital group so that they can use their own land to provide more staff in areas where houses are expensive?

I understand that at present six members of the staff are awaiting accommodation. I note what my hon. Friend has suggested about housing associations. He may know that the hospital management committee has been in touch with the Hanover housing association about building some flats for retired staff on hospital land. I shall consider the possibility of extending the system in the way my hon. Friend has suggested.