§ 7. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health how many hospital capital development schemes of £30,000 and over he submitted to the Treasury for approval during the last 12 months' period for which figures are available; how many were approved; how many were modified or disapproved; and how many decisions are still pending.
§ Mr. TurtonSixty-nine during the year ended 31st May, 1956. Sixty-four have been wholly approved and two in part, pending further inquiries; one has been modified; and two are outstanding.
§ Mr. RobinsonCan the Minister give any indication of the average delay in the detailed consideration of development schemes, and does he not agree that this requirement is not only an irritation to hospital boards, but also a subtle manner of cutting down the capital expenditure on hospital services?
§ Mr. TurtonIn regard to the first part of the question, I do not think I had better anticipate the Question which the hon. Gentleman has put down to one of my right hon. Friends next Thursday, which is almost exactly in those terms. In regard to the second part, I do not 15 agree and, indeed, resent any suggestion that this is used to postpone schemes. Actually, I have given figures in my Answer, which themselves show that this has not been the effect at all.
§ 25. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health what hospital capital development schemes have been approved in Stoke-on-Trent in the past 12 months; what is the total sum involved; and how many have been rejected, modified or suspended.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithDuring the year ended 31st March, 1956, four schemes totalling £13,479. My right hon. Friend has been unable to accept one scheme for central financing. No other schemes have been rejected, modified or suspended.
§ Dr. StrossDoes not the hon. Lady agree that the sum involved is not very high and that Stoke-on-Trent is a working-class city whose citizens are exposed specifically to all types of industrial disease? In view of the fact that the number of beds allotted to the city as a whole is smaller than the national average, will she see to it that any schemes put forward in future are passed?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe schemes which will provide additional beds are, in fact, the three schemes approved.
§ Dr. SummerskillIs it not a fact that the announcement of the hon. Lady is directly opposed to the Guillebaud Report? Could she tell us why, in this particular area which needs special attention from her Department, these four schemes have been refused?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI am sorry, but the right hon. Lady has got it the wrong way round. It is four schemes which have been approved.