HC Deb 02 July 1956 vol 555 cc968-9
16. Mr. Marquand

asked the Minister of Health why he has refused loan sanction for the building of a maternity and child welfare clinic at Park End, Middlesbrough.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)

Mainly because the proposal was too dear. The council has been asked to reduce the cost, but, with current restrictions on capital expenditure, I cannot yet say when a loan sanction can he given.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Lady aware that her right hon. Gentleman agreed to this scheme in principle as long ago as 1st September, 1955? Can we now look forward confidently to approval of it in a short time?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

It is quite true that the project was approved in principle, which is the normal procedure, but when the plans were received it was found that they were both large and unduly costly in view of the number of the population to he served. For that reason, we had to ask the authority to look at the plans again, because if extravagant plans are approved in one area, another area loses an advantage which it might otherwise have.

Mr. Marquand

I have no objection to a suggestion of that kind. May I be assured that this is not part of a general policy? Is the hon. Lady aware that the infant mortality rate in Middlesbrough is 34, compared with 28 for England and Wales? We cannot afford to have the mothers and children of Middlesbrough neglected when the council is willing to raise a loan at the rates prescribed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The plans will have to be considered, in regard to loan sanction, in relation to the priority of other schemes.

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. Lady did not answer my right hon. Friend's question. He asked what the general policy was—and this is a question which we should like to have answered, having regard to the fact that many Questions have been put down similar to that asked by my right hon. Friend, not only from this side of the House but from the other side of the House, and concerning either the closing of maternity homes or the failure to provide capital for the establishment of new homes. My right hon. Friend asked what was the general policy. In view of previous Questions, this Question and a subsequent Question, may we have an answer?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I think that question is much wider than that asked by the right hon. Gentleman.