8. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the hospital at Honiara is now being rebuilt; and how far rebuilding operations have proceeded.
§ Mr. LytteltonI regret that it has not yet been possible to begin building the new hospital at Honiara, but every effort is being made to complete the arrangements for its construction as soon as possible. The urgency of this matter was brought to the notice of the new High Commissioner before he went out.
Mr. DugdaleWill the right hon. Gentleman state why it is difficult to do? I saw the hospital myself. It is in a most appalling state of disrepair. I do not want to make capital out of this one way or the other because it is the responsibility of both the last Government and this Government, but I think that something should be done as soon as possible.
§ Mr. LytteltonI agree with the right hon. Gentleman. We are now repairing the existing hospital which is in a very bad condition. The difficulty is purely a practical one, that of getting somebody to do the building work. I think I shall be able to give a more satisfactory answer shortly.