§ 20. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health how many working drawings for the Welwyn Garden City Hospital have been received by his Department; what proportion these form of the total number needed; and how many have been approved.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganNo working drawings have yet been submitted formally by the board for approval. I have, however, made informal arrangements for examining the drawings in 857 batches as they are prepared for the Board. Some 50, about 9 per cent, of the total, were received on 11th July and are being examined. This should facilitate speedy approval when drawings are formally submitted with bills of quantities.
§ 21. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health whether building work on the Welwyn Garden City Hospital will commence immediately after the completion of the site work which is now in progress.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThis must depend on the speed with which working drawings and bills of quantities can be prepared and whether satisfactory tenders are obtained, but even in the most favourable circumstances there may well be a short interval. There will be no avoidable delay.
§ Lord BalnielIn view of the delay which has occurred in building the hospital, does my hon. Friend appreciate that any substantial delay between the completion of site work and the beginning of building works would create a most unfortunate impression, and will he do his utmost to ensure that it is kept to the absolute minimum?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganYes, indeed, Sir.