HC Deb 25 March 1957 vol 567 cc789-90
12. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Health what is the present position concerning the new hospital at Coventry.

Mr. Vosper

Negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of a site at Walegrave, near Coventry.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the progress in hospital work in Coventry by the regional board is a disgrace? Is he further aware that since 1938 we have had a population increase in Coventry of 47,000 and a reduction in hospital bed accommodation of 25 per cent.? Will he use his good offices with the regional board to hasten this new hospital?

Mr. Vosper

The difficulty here is that the original site proposed both by the regional board and the local authority was the subject of an appeal to my right hon. Friend the present Minister of Defence, who upheld the appeal. Therefore, with the good will of the local authority, the regional board is trying to find a further site, which will probably be the subject of a compulsory purchase order. It is not an easy question to resolve.