§ 39. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Health why he has refused a local inquiry into the closing of the Portland Road, Hove, annexe of the Sussex Maternity Hospital, and why expectant mothers in Hove who require lying-in accommodation cannot obtain such accommodation under the National Health Service within their borough, but must go to the county borough of Brighton or the urban district of South-wick.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI do not think I can usefully add to the reply I gave to my hon. and learned Friend on 26th November, 1953.
§ Mr. MarloweIs my right hon. Friend aware that in such matters a non-county borough is in a difficult position, because these decisions are made at a county level where the borough is hopelessly outnumbered? The responsibility, therefore, is all the more on the Minister to see that the non-county borough is able to voice its opinion properly. A local inquiry would have done so. My right hon. Friend has never answered that question.
§ Mr. MacleodI am satisfied that the decision was a correct one. Although I appreciate my hon. and learned Friend's point about the distinction between a county and a non-county borough, this is not a local authority matter but fundamentally a regional hospital board matter. I have discussed it with the chairman of the regional hospital board, who is satisfied that the decision is right.