asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what hospital facilities exist in the Leeward Islands; and what is the number of beds per head of the population.

Mr. Creech Jones:

General hospitals in Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat and cottage hospitals in St. Kitts, Anguilla and the Virgin Islands provide between them one bed for every 334 members of the Colony's population. In addition, leper homes in Antigua and St. Kitts provide for about 100 inmates, and homes for the aged and infirm are maintained by Government in Antigua, St. Kitts and Montserrat. The Leeward Islands' Development Plan provides for a new hospital in Antigua to replace the existing building at Holberton. The scheme is being examined in the Presidency and the Federal Architect's report on this important project is now awaited.