§ 27 and 28. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health (1) how many comprehensive health centres have been provided since July, 1948; and how many are now under construction either by new building or adaptation;
(2) how many centres for group practice have been provided since July, 1948; and how many are now under construction either by new building or adaptation.
§ Mr. MarquandNine premises taken over when the National Health Service began are being administered as health centres for groups of doctors and other services. One large centre is under construction, and tenders for two smaller ones have been invited.
§ Mr. HastingsWould my right hon. Friend not regard it as dangerous if, when the time came to make it possible to build health centres and centres for group practice, there was no more experience of them than his answer suggests will be possible?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir. As I said in the debate on the National Health Service Bill the other day, I have every sympathy with this proposal, and I intend to encourage, where suitable conditions which I then described are available, the establishment of further group centres of this kind.