asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have hospital waiting rooms provided with piped music, reading material and refreshment facilities; and, in respect of children's hospitals, if he will arrange to have similar conveniences provided, suitably adapted.

The provision of such facilities is primarily a matter for the hospital authorities concerned. I am in favour of waiting areas in hospitals being made as pleasant and comfortable as possible and have recently made funds available to enable a number of hospitals to instal snack bars in their out-patients' departments.

A working group is at present examining, among other things, the present arrangements for receiving persons attending out-patients' departments of hospitals with a view to making recommendations as to how these could be improved. The group are considering the special needs of children attending hospital. I expect to receive their report next month.

Would the Minister agree that such a service as piped music would be highly desired and would have a soothing effect on people particularly at a time when they badly need it? Would he recommend to hospitals that they should provide such a service?

I will not. There would be very genuinely conflicting views held about whether or not there should be piped music in out-patients' departments.

Is the Minister aware that such a service is available in the waiting rooms of private dentists?

I would not go so far as to call it a service. Many people would regard it as a nuisance and an annoyance.

On a lower scale it could be very soothing.

That would depend on the tune that was played.