HC Deb 05 March 1956 vol 549 cc1702-3
46. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the farm which adjoins the Towers Hospital, Leicester, cost the Leicester City Council about £18,000 and that farm stock, worth a further £10,000, was also taken from the city; and if he will consider this before making a decision in regard to the disposal or retention of the farm and the stock.

Mr. Turton

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Janner

In view of the fact that this farm was taken over without any compensation at all, will the Minister say what changes, if any, which have taken place in the use of the farm have encouraged or discouraged him from taking it over now?

Mr. Turton

I dealt with this matter last week. No decision has yet been reached about whether this farm should go on or not.

Mr. Janner

May I ask the Minister whether in these circumstances, if he decides to relinquish the farm, he will give it back to the Leicester City Council, who paid for it in the first instance, because the Council is primarily entitled to the farm?

Mr. Turton

It depends on the wording of the National Health Service Act. As the time has now passed for it being given back free, some financial adjustment will have to be made.

47. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some farm employees at the Towers Hospital, Leicester, farm, have worked there from fifteen to twenty years; and if, in order to prevent hardship, he will have regard to their interests when considering any step to dispose of the farm.

Mr. Turton

Farm workers who lose their employment as a result of my review of hospital farming activities are entitled to claim compensation under the appropriate Regulations.

Mr. Janner

In those circumstances, will the Minister say whether their rate of pension will be the same if the farm is taken over as it would be were the farm not taken over? If not, will he taken into consideration the fact that this was one of the factors which would have been contemplated by the council at the time it took these people into employment?

Mr. Turton

The compensation they receive is governed by the National Health Service (Transfer of Officers and Compensation) Regulations, 1948.