§ 29. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health whether he now intends inviting hospital boards and local health authorities to submit proposals for additional capital expenditure in 1959.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithHospital boards have already been asked to prepare capital programmes for the expenditure of an additional £2 million in the financial year 1959–60 compared with this year, and have been allocated a further £1¾ million for capital expenditure before 31st March, 1959. Local health authorities come within the scope of the arrangements which were described in the recent circular on capital investment issued by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and I am ready to give sympathetic consideration to any proposals which fall within its terms.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman make this point clear to local health authorities? Looking at local government in general, there appears to be some misunderstanding in the matter.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI should not have thought that the clear terms of the circular lent themselves to any misunder- 832 standing; but if, in fact, I find that there is misunderstanding, I shall be very happy to clarify the position.
§ Mr. ChetwyndCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman publish in HANSARD the break-down of grants to the different regional boards and, in particular, say whether the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospital Board is getting its fair share?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am not quite clear whether the hon. Gentleman is now referring to the initial capital allocations or to the £1¾million recently given, to which I also referred in my Answer. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would have a word with me about that point.