HC Deb 18 March 1963 vol 674 cc15-6
32. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health by what proportion the expenditure of regional hospital boards on maintenance of buildings, plant and grounds and domestic repairs, renewals and replacements fell short of the total originally allocated for those purposes in 1962–63; and by what proportion the comparable allocations for 1963–64 have been increased in real terms to enable deferred maintenance of this nature to be carried out.

Mr. Powell

Separate allocations are not made for individual items of revenue expenditure.

Mr. Robinson

Instead of "allocations", perhaps I should have used the expression "estimated expenditure within the total allocation." Is the Minister aware that his own Estimates for 1963–64 make it perfectly clear that hospitals have deferred maintenance to the extent of about one-sixth in the past year in order to find the money to pay nursing salaries? Is he further aware that this is the most foolish kind of economy to force on hospital authorities, because the work will have to be done sooner or later and will cost more when it is done?

Mr. Powell

All hospital authorities have the responsibility of deciding, within the money available to them—which is increasing in real terms—on what points of development they will spend it. Where they have decided to defer maintenance in order further to increase staff I have no doubt that their judgment is right. When the figures of expenditure become available from the Board's accounts later in the year, I will certainly give the hon. Gentleman the figures of expenditure.

Mr. Denis Howell

But is not the Minister aware that the annual increase of 2½ per cent. allowed to hospital management committees is not an increase in real terms, as he said, and is creating considerable difficulties? For example, it is creating difficulties at Solihull, in Birmingham, where some wards have not been decorated for up to fifteen years. Will he look at the system of financing this sort of expenditure, because it is obviously inadequate to the needs?

Mr. Powell

The hon. Member is mistaken. This is an increase in real terms. At constant prices and salaries, it puts additional spending power into the hands of hospital authorities in addition to any that accrues from economies or increased efficiency.