HC Deb 20 July 1959 vol 609 cc862-4
34. Mr. Braddock

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the United Liverpool Hospitals are still awaiting his sanction to proceed with a scheme to provide steam and hot water services to three hospitals in the centre of Liverpool, that correspondence, etc., has been, going on since 1950, and that the matter is now very urgent; and when the board may expect a definite decision on this matter.

Mr. R. Thompson

My right hon. and learned Friend has written to the board of governors authorising their acceptance of a tender for the supply of boilers and the preparation of working drawings and bills of quantities for the remaining works.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Board is very pleased that there has been a hurry-up since this Question was put on the Order Paper? Is he aware that these hospitals are in the central area of the city and that had it not been that they were under the control of the Government there would have been action taken by the Medical Officer of Health of Liverpool because of the Clean Air Act and the amount of smoke that has been coming from these chimneys for such a long time? Will the Parliamentary Secretary look at this case personally to see whether it is possible to prevent this sort of delay taking place in very important schemes in the City of Liverpool?

Mr. Thompson

I appreciate what the hon. Lady has said. Of course, this is a very large and complex scheme involving the expenditure of £179,000. I would not want the House to think nothing has been done at all. In fact, work to the value of more than £40,000 has already been carried out, and I will endeavour to see that the process is kept up and speeded up.

35. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of Health when the Eastern Group Liverpool Hospital Management Committee can expect to receive sanction to proceed with the modernisation of tuberculosis and venereal disease wards at Newsham General Hospital which was first requested in January, 1958.

Mr. R. Thompson

My right hon. and learned Friend received working drawings and bills of quantities from the regional hospital board on 7th July last. These are being examined urgently and authority to proceed will be given as soon as possible.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this matter has been going on for two years, that the venereal disease and tuberculosis wards in this old institution are really shocking and not fit for patients, and that this opinion is agreed by everybody responsible, both the committee and the board? Will he, therefore, see that there is a move on in dealing with this matter?

Mr. Thompson

I will do my best, but I do not think there has been any material delay in considering the scheme either at the regional hospital board level or in my Ministry. The original estimate was for £24,000. It is now estimated to cost £85,300. Naturally, in view of that increase, we have got to look at all the details very carefully indeed.

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