§ 40. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Health if he will now make a detailed statement giving dates and costs of the Government programme for building hospitals, and the steps already taken to implement it.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my statements about the hospital building programme on 16th November, 1959, and 29th February, 1960, in reply to Questions by my noble Friend the Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel). Detailed information about hospital boards' estimates of capital expenditure on individual projects costing over £100,000 is set out in Appendix A to the Civil Estimates, Class V, Vote 5, and further information is published in the Annual Reports of the Ministry.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that I am not asking about past programmes but about present programmes? In addition, can he say how many of these hospitals will be located in Scotland?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIn answer to the first part of the supplementary question, may I say that I realise that? The information which the hon. and learned Member will find in the answers to which I have referred him relates to the future programme. As to the second part of his supplementary question, I am not the Minister of Health for Scotland.
§ Dr. SummerskillWhat progress has been achieved in the programme which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has already given us?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithVery fine progress indeed.