HC Deb 31 January 1962 vol 652 cc1086-7
30. Miss Herbison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the new provisions will be available in the west of Scotland for the treatment of and research into rheumatological diseases.

Mr. Galbraith

Working drawings for the rheumatology unit are in the course of preparation. The Western Regional Hospital Board hopes that work will start in the autumn of this year.

Miss Herbison

Since there have been so many delays in the provision of this, and since over half the population of Scotland is at this moment and always has been denied these facilities, will the Under-Secretary of State assure us that this date really will be honoured and that I shall not at this time next year have to be asking the Question which I have been asking in the House for a very long time?

Mr. Galbraith

I think the fact that this date has gone back a bit shows how very dangerous it is to make estimates. All I can assure the hon. Lady is that we are as anxious as she is to press ahead with the matter.