HC Deb 18 March 1957 vol 567 c20
34. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Minister of Health the estimated cost per bed of the proposed hospital to be built at Huddersfield.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

For the first phase about £5,700 on the regional board's estimates.

Mr. Roberts

Does not the Minister agree that this cost is far too high? Does he not further agree that it would be far better to build a hospital to last fifty years, thereby providing more hospitals and better amenities, than to build a hospital to last for 200 years?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

I think the hon. Member should know that these figures have not yet been analysed in detail in the Department. I think it is also fair to state that the cost per bed is not the only relevant factor, because one has to take into consideration the equipment which enters into the total overall cost of the hospital and, as a matter of fact, the estimated cost per bed in the first ward block is £2,500, which is a very different figure.