§ 29. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the centre in Glasgow for the treatment of and research into rheumatological diseases will be opened.
§ Mr. NoblePremises at Baird Street are now being re-constructed for this purpose and the work is expected to be completed in the latter part of 1964.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Secretary of State aware that his Answer makes it very clear that there has again been a postponement of the date of the opening of this centre? Is he also aware that since 1957 serious representations have 1236 been made by consultants and others about the necessity of such a Scottish centre to provide treatment and research for more than half Scotland's population? Can he tell us what is the hold-up with this centre and whether anything can be done to open it much more quickly?
§ Mr. NobleI am informed that there has been no hold-up in the sense of delay with the premises at Baird Street. The difficulty lies in the fact that it is a rather old building and that there are different floor levels at the front and back of the building, which has been causing a good deal of difficulty in re-designing it for its new purposes.
§ Miss HerbisonSurely all these difficulties were known when the Secretary of State gave the approximate date for the opening of the centre. Is he not also aware that there were other premises, much more suitable, which could have been taken, but which the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor, or the regional hospital board, decided should not be taken? Does not his answer show the Government's lack of planning?
§ Mr. NobleThe facts may well have been known. It is quite different to know that there are difficulties and to know how long they will take to get over. The planning of this has not been in my Department but in the regional hospital board.