HC Deb 31 October 1955 vol 545 cc655-6
31. Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now instructed the Storthes Hall Hospital Management Committee to sell the farm attached to the hospital.

Mr. Iain Macleod

No, Sir; I am still in correspondence with the regional hospital board on the future of this farm.

Mr. Mallalieu

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this farm is providing about £4,500 a year towards the cost of the hospital and will he undertake not to interfere with it?

Mr. Macleod

I cannot give an undertaking not to interfere with it. The board has recommended that direct management should go on, and I have put forward certain counter proposals. We shall have to see how they work out.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Might we know what those counter proposals are?

Mr. Macleod

Obviously I cannot go into them in detail in Question and Answer. I have asked for the views of the board on certain suggestions which might mean that part of the farm is leased out.