asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of each administrative health area, (a) the number of maternity beds in rate-aided hospitals in 1942 and in 1952, and (b) the number of maternity beds in voluntary clinical hospitals in 1942 and in 1952.

asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of each administrative health area the average number of vacant beds per day during 1951 in (a) rate-aided maternity hospitals and (b) voluntary maternity hospitals.

asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of each administrative health area: (a) the number of maternity beds in public wards and (b) the average number of births per annum.

asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of each administrative area the average daily number of vacant beds—other than maternity beds—in county hospitals and voluntary hospitals during the year 1951.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 33, 34 and 35 together and as the answers are in the form of tabular statements to circulate them with the Official Report. I am unable to supply information regarding certain voluntary hospitals which receive no payment from Hospitals Trust Fund.

Following are the tabular statements referred to:

AVERAGE NUMBER OF MATERNITY BEDS VACANT EACH DAY IN 1951.

*Estimated figure.

AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF VACANT BEDS—other than Maternity Beds—in 1951.

*Estimated figure.

†Includes beds for aged and infirm.