32. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Minister of Health why the Fazakerley Hospital project, originally approved by his Department as due to begin in 1961–62, will not now begin until after 1965.
§ Mr. PowellIt was at no time approved for commencement in 1961–62. I expect building to start in 1964–65.
Mr. WilsonIs the Minister aware that the local authorities were given the impression by his Department that it was due to start in 1961–62, and that in all the voluminous correspondence which I have had with his Department about this no reference was made by his Department to that decision? Is this what the right hon. Gentleman means by speeding up the hospital programme?
§ Mr. PowellAs there was no such decision, it would have been difficult to make reference to it in correspondence with the right hon. Gentleman. As he knows, this scheme has been considerably expanded, and the scheme which will now be started, and for which the plans are now in hand, will be a considerably more effective scheme than the one orginally envisaged.