§ 8. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the need for modernised hospital accommodation, he will bring forward the starting date of the new general hospital to be built at Airdrie.
§ Mrs. HartMy right hon. Friend is at present reviewing the whole hospital building programme, but I think it is unlikely that he will be able to bring forward the starting date for this scheme.
§ Mr. DempseyIs my hon. Friend aware that competent medical opinion has described hospital accommodation, with the exception of the new Bellshill Maternity Hospital, as being half a century out of date, and is she aware that part of the delay is due to the planning taking place at the present time? Will she ask her right hon. Friend to get cracking on the project? Let us have this hospital much earlier than was anticipated, because of the urgent need in this community.
§ Mrs. HartI appreciate much of what my hon. Friend has said. In fact I can assure him that there have not been holdups because of planning delays. The regional hospital board has been planning seven district hospitals in this area. On that part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question about bringing the work forward, the problem is the urgent need 1527 for hospital accommodation all over Scotland. That is why we shall be reviewing the hospital programme as a matter of urgency.