HC Deb 05 August 1897 vol 52 cc386-7
MR. E. H. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the cost of the Brook Hospital, recently erected by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, has been £64,000 in excess of the estimates presented Ly the Board, and £50,000 in excess of the actual amounts of contracts entered into; and whether, before he issues a further order for expenditure in respect of the erection of this hospital, he will have inquiry made into the causes of this extraordinary excess?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRY CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, Sleaford

The facts as regards the amount by which the cost of the hospital exceeds the amount of the estimates and of the various contracts entered into are, I believe, as stated in the Question. The managers have received a report from the committee of the hospital as to these expenses, and the consideration by them of the report has been adjourned. Before sanctioning a further loan the Board will certainly consider all the circumstances connected with the actual expenditure and the increase of the cost over the estimates.