HC Deb 25 April 1955 vol 540 cc603-5
27. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet approved the plans for the new wards, new out-patient clinics, kitchens, etc., for the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital; on what date those plans were deposited with his Department; and what was the date on

Item No. Description Plans received by Department Action taken
1 Site clearance No plans necessary. Starting date application received 23rd July, 1954. Referred for award of starting date 23rd July, 1954.
2 New kitchen, dining and clinical services block. 2nd October, 1954 and 18th January, 1955. Plans for clinical departments scrutinised and found satisfactory. Kitchen and dining room plan discussed with Board's Architect, 14th February, 1955. Revised plan awaited.
3 Reinstatement of war-damaged wards. No plans necessary. Tender submitted for approval 16th June, 1954. Price considered excessive. Board asked to advertise for tenders to get better price. New tender submitted 2nd November, 1954; approved 26th November, 1954.
4 Adaptation of existing building to provide additional wards, etc. 2nd October, 1954 Since submission of plans Board have decided to alter proposal. Revised plans not yet received.
5 Adaptations to Out-patient Department. Working drawings not yet received. —
6 New dental department 2nd October, 1954 (sketch plans). Objection raised to siting and not yet resolved.
7 Adaptation of disused boiler-house to provide engineers workshop. 18th January, 1955 Consideration deferred pending decision on major items above.
Note.—Except where otherwise indicated references in column 3 are to working drawings.
28. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Health how much of the £80,000 allocated by him in March, 1954, for phase three rebuilding at the Coventry and

which acceptance was notified to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As this project consists of seven separate contracts, the answer is in tabular form and I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that this evasion really is not good enough? Is he aware, furthermore, that I have been informed that these plans were sent to his Department last May and that we have as yet got no further with the spending of the £80,000 which he gave us and that we regard this as a betrayal of the offer he made last March?

Mr. Macleod

Those are very strong words. Perhaps the hon. Lady would like to look at what I shall circulate and then comment, particularly perhaps on the adaptations to the out-patients department for which I have not yet received the working drawings.

Following is the answer:

Warwickshire Hospital under the hospital capital works programme for 1954–55 has been used; and what is the nature of the works either completed or in progress.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Approximately £12,000 has been spent on site clearance, which has been completed, £1,500 on reinstatement of war-damaged wards which is still in progress, and £1,600 on professional fees for planning a new kitchen, dining and clinical services block.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware what a disappointment this is to Coventry? Does he know that in March, 1954, he gave us £80,000 to be spent in the past financial year, but that somebody has so held up matters that only this miserable amount he has just mentioned has been spent? Would he tell us what he proposes to do to expedite the matter?

Mr. Macleod

It is just as big a disappointment to me that this money has not been spent as it is to Coventry. The estimate of £80,000 was Coventry's estimate, and it is now clear that it was an unrealistic one. I am sorry that that should be so. But of course the money is not lost. The expenditure is pushed forward into the present financial year.

Mr. Stokes

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply to Question No. 26 that, in the absence of any enlightened information from himself, we must assess that the average delay is always more than 12 months?

Mr. Macleod

No, of course not.

Miss Burton

As the Minister's answers to my Questions have been so unsatisfactory, I wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first available opportunity.