HC Deb 21 July 1958 vol 592 cc2-3
5. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Health when building work will commence on the first phase of the proposed new area hospital at Truro.

Mr. R. Thompson

Sketch plans for the first phase have recently been submitted and are being examined, but with a project of this size it is not possible to say when all the preliminary planning will be completed and building work will begin.

Mr. Hayman

Is the Minister aware that eight years ago his Ministry said that work might start on this new hospital soon but that after eight years of dithering on the drawing board we seem to be still as far away as ever? Will the Minister really try to hasten the laying of the foundation stone?

Mr. Thompson

There has been no dithering here. One main difficulty has been that in the past the board wished to build this hospital at once as a whole without phasing, which, of course, complicated consideration of the plans. This is a £2 million scheme—nearly twice the original figure—but I will do my best to see that the proceedings go forward as rapidly as possible.