§ 9 and 10. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Health (1) when he expects work to start on the new maternity ward of the Hillingdon County Hospital; and when he expects to start work on the next stage in the reconstruction of the hospital;
(2) the average daily number of outpatients and casualties treated at the Hillingdon County Hospital; and if he is satisfied that the accommodation for the reception, examination, and treatment of this number of patients is adequate.
§ Mr. VosperWork on a new maternity block is expected to begin later this year, and the reconstruction of the main hospital in 1958–59. Some 700 patients a day attend the outpatient and casualty departments, which are inadequate for these numbers and will be replaced as part of the reconstruction.
§ Mr. BeswickThe Minister now gives the date 1958–59. Cannot he be more specific? Does not he appreciate that, apart altogether from the patients, the hospital staffs are working under most unsatisfactory conditions, and they must have some definite date before them by which they can see the end of the present position? Cannot he help in giving them a definite date and assuring us that he will stick to it?
§ Mr. VosperI understand that the 1958–59 programme was the one to which this project has always been assigned. I will look into the matter, but so far as I know the Regional Hospital Board can start upon any date it can manage within that year.