HC Deb 25 April 1955 vol 540 cc605-6
26. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Health the average period of time elapsing between the depositing of plans with his Department by a regional hospital board and their acceptance by his officers.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I do not think such an average would be significant enough to justify the labour required to calculate it.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that I have been given an average of five months in delay? Would he be prepared to comment on that?

Mr. Macleod

I do not see how it is possible to calculate an average between proposals that may be, on the one hand, for a 1,000-bed hospital and, on the other hand, for a small out-patients department. I have recently had an overhaul of the system in order to make sure, as far as we can, that matters are in train for the increased capital investment programme that is now contemplated.

Mr. K. Robinson

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this delay, which is generally excessive, is made worse toy the large number of schemes which have to be submitted to the Treasury as well as to his own Department? Will the right hon. Gentleman have a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether he can lessen this far too detailed control of the work of his Department by the Treasury?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, we have been going into that subject.