44. Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the urgent need of a maternity wing being added to the Cockermouth Cottage Hospital; that funds are available for this purpose; and if he will now withdraw his veto.
§ Mr. BevanWhen the Question was before me last year, my information was that the existing maternity accommodation would suffice if enough midwives could be found fully to staff it. As I then told the hospital, their scheme should not proceed pending consideration of all the hospital needs of the area by the Regional Hospital Board, which has now been appointed.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is a very wide area and that maternity cases are very often to be taken 20 or 30 miles by ambulance, and that they have the money and the plans? If he will give his approval, it will be a very great service to this locality in this very difficult time.
§ Mr. BevanI am afraid that money and plans are not sufficient these days. There have to be labour and materials as well. Furthermore, I think it would be very bad indeed to make definite alterations in maternity accommodation before the Regional Hospital Board now preparing plans has an opportunity of submitting them.