§ 14. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that expenses of the Bridgwater, Minehead and Budleigh Hospital Group have, owing to increased costs, only been held within the the estimate by the restriction of expenditure on maintenance of buildings; and if, in the interests of economy, he will provide funds for essential work.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware that, in order to help keep expenditure within its approved estimates, this group is spending less this year on maintenance of buildings than in previous years, but I have no evidence that essential works are not being carried out.
§ Mr. CollinsWill the Minister say whether he would regard normal maintenance as essential work, and is he aware that this is only one of scores of examples of having to defer important work through lack of funds? In making up his Estimates for next year. will the 1362 Minister bear this in mind so that sufficient can be provided for a full service?
§ Mr. MacleodThis is one of the main matters now under discussion between myself and the Chancellor. I am very conscious of this.
Mr. SilvermanArising out of a previous answer on the same subject, may I ask whether, when the Minister said that he would be pleased to discuss these matters with the hon. Members concerned, he was intending to suggest that there were any hon. Members who were not concerned?
§ Mr. MacleodI meant what I said.