HC Deb 15 April 1937 vol 322 cc1155-7
21. Mr. Fleming

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the objection submitted to him against his proposal to erect an Employment Exchange adjoining the central branch of the Manchester Royal Infirmary; and whether he still intends to proceed with the said building?

22. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now inform the House of the result of his attention to the position that will be created by the erection of the central Employment Exchange in Manchester?

23. Mr. Benn

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has reached any decision concerning the erection of an Employment Exchange adjoining the central branch of the Manchester Royal Infirmary; and whether he has observed the very general objection in Manchester to this proposal?

30. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the building of the new Employment Exchange in Manchester adjacent to the central branch of the Manchester Royal Infirmary will cause the closing down of the branch for in-patients; whether he will outline the special reasons for the selection of such a site; and whether, if it is decided to proceed with the scheme, some reasonable part of the cost incurred by the infirmary authorities for removal or alteration of the branch will be paid to them?

Mr. E. Brown

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Members for the Exchange Division of Manchester (Mr. Eckersley) and for Eccles (Mr. Cary) on this subject on 8th March. I am now in consultation with the First Commissioner of Works regarding certain proposals recently made to me informally on behalf of the board of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, but, until our inquiries are completed, I am unable to make any statement.

Mr. Fleming

Has the Minister considered the serious objection of the medical profession in Manchester on the ground that this proposed building will very gravely obstruct the work that is being carried on in the central branch of the Royal Infirmary?

Mr. Brown

I am aware, not only of that objection, but of some others which have been put to me. I am also aware that for 15 years past the great social service of the Employment Exchange in Manchester has been carried on in a building that is utterly unsuitable and not fair to the staff concerned.

Mr. Benn

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any advice as to the public opinion in Manchester with regard to this matter? If not, will he be good enough to do so?

Mr. Brown

I am well aware of the opinion in Manchester. At the request of the representative of the Infirmary, I saw him privately, and it is for that reason that I am now doing my best to carry out the promise I made to him that I would get consideration for this matter.

Mr. Benn

That is not quite what I asked. I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had been in consultation with representative public opinion in Manchester on the matter, and, if not, whether he would be so good as to get into consultation?

Mr. Brown

Some time ago I saw a very important body on this matter, and heard all the arguments over again.

Mr. E. Smith

Would the right hon. Gentleman also consider the alternative of taking into consultation the Office of Works with a view to taking over the site of the Infirmary and suitably compensating the Manchester Royal Infirmary?

Mr. Brown

I prefer to make no statement about that at the moment.

Mr. Emery

Can the Minister say whether, if it is possible to proceed with the scheme, some reasonable proportion of the additional cost incurred by the hospital authorities in removing the branch will be repaid to them?

Mr. Brown

I do not think I can be expected to answer a hypothetical question of that kind.

61. Mr. E. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the report prepared by the medical board of the Manchester Royal Infirmary with reference to the proposed erection of the central Employment Exchange; and what action does he propose to take?

The Minister of Health (Sir Kingsley Wood)

I have received representations from the hospital on this proposal, but I have no powers in the matter, which is one for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and the First Commissioner of Works.

Mr. Smith

In view of the fact that the Royal Infirmary is a voluntary hospital, will the right hon. Gentleman accept his share of responsibility and cooperate with the Minister of Labour and the First Commissioner of Works with a view of bringing about a satisfactory solution of this question?

Sir K. Wood

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has already answered that question.

Mr. Fleming

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether on receipt of this medical report he made any inquiries in Manchester to see if any medical man agreed with the action of the Minister of Labour?

Sir K. Wood

As a matter of fact, when I was in Manchester recently I saw the site, and the officials.

Mr. Fleming

That is no reply to my question.