§ 31 and 32. Mr. Simmonsasked the Minister of Health (1) to what extent it is his policy to allow the use by hospital management committees of amenity funds for the carrying out of capital projects;
(2) if he is aware that No. 17 Group, Dudley and Stourbridge, of the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board has had to spend £8,000 out of its free money for urgently necessary capital expenditure; and if he will arrange for this sum to be repaid by his Department.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI do not know what specific projects the hon. Member has in mind but I welcome proposals by hospital authorities for the use of non-Exchequer funds for urgently needed capital works and see no reason to repay any such expenditure from the Exchequer.
§ Mr. SimmonsWould the Minister agree that adequate waiting room accommodation, a dispensary, a pathological laboratory, occupational therapy and staff recreation rooms ought all to be part of the normal hospital services and that it is unfair that the amenity fund should be used for these purposes to the detriment of the comfort of the patients? Could he not agree, even if he does not repay this money immediately, to repay it when the economic situation looks a little better?
§ Mr. MacleodAll those developments are, of course, important and, if financed by Exchequer funds, would have to take their place with other competing claims in the area. I think, however, that it would obviously be a very bad system to repay expenditure of this nature, for all that would mean is that the very wealthy hospitals—and there are many—could rebuild their premises completely, if necessary, and claim back all the money from the Exchequer. I must have regard to priorities in this field.