HC Deb 12 July 1972 vol 840 c1574
23. Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if a decision has yet been made regarding the provision of additional and more modern maternity facilities at Falkirk Royal Infirmary.

Mr. Monro

A scheme for the development of maternity facilities in the Cumbernauld/Falkirk area is included in priority Band IV of the current major hospital building programme. Planning of this project will begin fairly soon.

Mr. Ewing

For the hon. Gentleman to refer to the Cumbernauld and Falkirk area is very significant. When the decision on the siting of the maternity facilities is taken will the Minister consider that it is much better to site them at the existing general hospital so that specialist facilities will be available on the spot, rather than to fragment the service by siting the maternity facilities apart from the general hospital?

Mr. Monro

Yes, we will take all those views carefully into consideration when the site is decided.