§ 1. Mr. LI. Williamsasked the Minister of Health what allocation for expenditure on minor works and maintenance, respectively, has been made for the coming financial year to the group management committtees in respect of hospitals in Monmouthshire; and how this compares with the allocation for the previous financial year.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernard Braine)Allocations are not made for individual items of revenue expenditure. The board has so far approved expenditure of £6,250 next year, compared with £4,006 this year, on capital works costing under £3,000.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that although the increased figure will be received with much approval by those who are interested in hospital services in Monmouthshire, in view of the fact that we have so many old-established hospitals in Monmouthshire and shall have to wait a considerable time before the consideration of the new base hospitals, much capital expenditure is needed in respect of the old-established hospitals?
§ Mr. BraineYes. I am sure that considerations of that kind are very much in the mind of the regional hospital board, and it has certain reserves.