HC Deb 20 June 1961 vol 642 c1147
7. Miss Herbison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed that work will commence on the rheumatological unit for the west of Scotland.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith)

The Western Regional Hospital Board has now submitted plans for this unit to my right hon. Friend's Department. The Board expects to start work in the spring of next year.

Miss Herbison

Is the Under-Secretary aware that this has been on the board since 1957 and that during all these years more than half the population of Scotland has been denied proper medical care in this disease? Could not the hon. Gentleman take steps to get it started before the spring of next year?

Mr. Galbraith

I have a good deal of sympathy with the hon. Lady. But I could not hold out much hope, because this is work in which a good deal of architectural alteration must be done and the plans are considerably more comprehensive than the original ones. For that reason, I am afraid that the work will take the time I have said.