§ 47. Mr. Edward Evansasked the Minister of Health why St. Luke's Hospital, Lowestoft, has been out of use since the end of the war; and what plans he has for its use in view of the necessity for an increase in hospital accommodation.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIt has not so far been possible to provide the very considerable sum needed to make the hospital fit for use. The regional hospital board has recently proposed that reconditioning should be undertaken as part of the increased building programme which I announced on 9th February, but I am not yet able to say whether this can be agreed.
§ Mr. EvansIs the Minister aware of the grave disquiet in Lowestoft and neighbourhood that this magnificent building with a unique site overlooking the North Sea which has Iain fallow for ten years should have no prospect of habitation? This is a real waste. Does the Minister intend to do something drastic very soon'?
§ Mr. MacleodThere is at last a very real prospect of something being done, because we have an important programme of hospital building and that is one of the projects which is being put forward as a suggestion to me by the regional hospital board. But there are many claimants in East Anglia, many of whom are brought to my attention by my hon. Friends on this side of the House, which must be considered equally with the one enshrined in this Question.