§ 30. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that although the Hospital Board last January informed an owner who was offering for sale his house in Cole Park Road, Twickenham, that they were seeking the Minister's consent for its acquisition as a nurses' home, and in July made public their intention to acquire the house, the owner has only now been informed that it is not required; and whether he will arrange for such delays, which are unfair both to owners and to house seekers, to be avoided in future.
§ Mr. BevanI regret the delay in this case which has been due to doubt whether it could be fitted into the Board's capital programme. I understand that they have now decided not to proceed, and have so informed the owner's agent.
§ Mr. KeelingDoes not the Minister agree that a period of shilly-shally and delay extending over nine months is excessive, even for a State organisation?
§ Mr. BevanThis was the hospital regional board, which is not entirely a State organisation, but a voluntary body, and some of the delay, which as I say I regret, occurred because of the interven- 2179 tion of the holidays between the provisional decision and its confirmation by the Board.