§ 43. Mr. W. Yatesasked the Minister of Health, in view of the assurance of his predecessor in July that the extension to the Wrekin Cottage Hospital in Wellington, Shropshire, had been approved in principle by him, if he will now give his reasons for delay in granting permission to commence the work.
§ Mr. VosperI think there is some misunderstanding here. As my hon. Friend has been informed in correspondence, the Regional Board has decided that it is necessary to provide a larger extension at Wrekin Hospital instead of the original scheme at Wellington Cottage Hospital. I have now approved this revised proposal in principle, and the Board will be proceeding to prepare sketch plans.
§ Mr. YatesWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that the East Shropshire Committee suggested eighteen months ago that the Wrekin Hospital was the place for this extension, and that it was the incompetence of the Midland Regional Board which caused the misunderstanding, and not myself or the East Shropshire Committee?
§ Mr. VosperI am certainly not going to be drawn into a local dispute, but there was a change of plan, which was submitted to my Department in December, and to which approval was given a few days ago.