§ 36. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Minister of Health if he will increase the amount allocated to the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for hospital building, in view of the need to meet the demands of increasing populations at Slough and elsewhere.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware of the problems facing this Board and bear them in mind when fixing the region's share of the capital programme.
§ Mr. BrockwayI do not ask for a disproportionate amount for this Board, or for Slough, but will the Minister bear in mind that 17,000 people are coming to Slough from the London area, and that the hospitals there are just about fully used up—89 per cent. of the beds are permanently employed. Will he therefore give special consideration to the problem, with a view to providing for this largely incoming population?
§ Mr. MacleodI appreciate the needs of Slough, and so do the Board. It put Slough third on its list, so the hon. Member will get place money, and as the first name on this Regional Hospital Board's list is the Welwyn-Hatfield Hospital—which we hope to see started next year—the hon. Member is coming fairly near the top.
§ Mr. RemnantWill my right hon. Friend take into account the requirement of Bracknell when he is considering the needs of Slough?
§ Mr MacleodYes, Sir. know the needs of Bracknell.
§ Mr. MacleodFar too many.