§ 34. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to ensure that essential developments at West Bromwich Hospital are proceeded with without undue delay, particularly in view of the concern of the West Bromwich and District Hospitals Group.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Edith Pitt)I am informed that, apart from two minor projects, which the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board is unable to fit into its capital programme at present, the only capital project at present outstanding at West Bromwich and District General Hospital is the provision of a new lift for which the regional board expects to invite tenders in July.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the Minister aware that there are about twelve projects which have been applied for in the West Bromwich Hospital Group as a whole over the past nine years which have still not been proceeded with? There is some concern in the group about these delays. What can the Minister do to speed them up?
§ Miss PittI am aware that there have been a number of requests from the group which comprises nine hospitals as distinct from the hospital to which this Question relates, but the board in the programme for 1959–60 and 1960–61 has provided for sixteen schemes in this group ranging from £30,000 to £200. These schemes are at various stages. Some have been completed, some are in progress, and others are at the preliminary planning stage.