§ 32. Mr. James Hallasked the Minister of Health the total cost of the work of adapting the out-patients department of a certain hospital for children for the decontamination of blister-gas cases and provision of air-raid protection for the personnel?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe amount approved for the adaptation as a first-aid post of the out-patients' department, to which I understand my hon. Friend is referring, including the provision of certain arrangements for gas cleansing, was £884, and a sum of £140 was approved in connection with the erection of a brick surface shelter 1091 for the personnel. Further works have recently been approved in order to improve the gas cleansing facilities and the protection of the post, but the statement of final costs of these works has not yet been received in the Department.
§ Mr. HallIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was estimated that the work cost £24,000, and that other first-aid posts are being adapted in the same grandiose manner; and can he not prevent this wasteful expenditure of public money?
§ Mr. BrownI should prefer to see the full statement of costs before I could accept the hon. Member's view of the matter.