§ 11. Mr. W. Griffithsasked the Minister of Health for what reason the Manchester Regional Hospital Board has decided to resite the proposed Wythenshawe Hospital; what will be the reduction in the number of beds caused by the changed plan; and what form of heating is proposed to be used.
§ Mr. R. ThompsonI understand that the Manchester Regional Hospital Board has not yet reached a decision, and I do not therefore know what its proposals will be.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that it is widely believed in Manchester that the Minister of Health has agreed that the new hospital shall be sited elsewhere from the plans originally approved, that the hospital will be built with fifty or more fewer beds and that the heating system will be with solid fuel, the sulphur fumes from which will cause a greater degree of air pollution than is wished for by the Manchester Corporation? Can he give an assurance that these widespread apprehensions in Manchester are unsoundly based?
§ Mr. ThompsonI am sure that that supplementary question arises out of Press comments, which suggested that the regional board had decided on a new scheme and had settled with my right hon. and learned Friend. This is not so. The board has not yet taken a decision, and no proposals have been sent to my right hon. and learned Friend.