§ 47. Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Health which regional hospital boards were responsible for the underspending of £649,000 in the advances on capital account during the financial year 1959–60, indicated on page 87 of the recently-issued Supplementary Estimates.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAll boards, except Oxford Regional Hospital Board, expect to underspend on major capital schemes and this accounts almost entirely for the total estimated underspending.
§ Mr. PeytonDoes the Minister realise that there is considerable mystification in the minds of at any rate a number of hospital boards about underspending, which feel that if only they were given the chance to spend the money earlier they could spend it twice over? Certainly the South Western Regional Hospital Board could do so.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAs I have said before, I am continuously trying to give longer and longer notice of capital schemes in order to meet the point to which my hon. Friend has referred.