HC Deb 06 July 1964 vol 698 c12
2. Mr. Prior

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the recent pronouncement of the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board on the subject of the provision of additional maternity beds at Lowestoft, he is in a position to give a firm date for the new maternity ward to be provided at Great Yarmouth with its consequent improvement to the position at Lowestoft Hospital.

Mr. Braine

Not yet, by the Board is treating it as a matter of urgency.

Mr. Prior

Will my hon. Friend do everything he can in his Department to help the Board get on with this project quickly? It is very badly required. Is my hon. Friend aware of the very serious position on the East Coast at the moment in regard to maternity beds?

Mr. Braine

Yes, Sir. Both my right hon. Friend and I are well aware of the local concern in my hon. Friend's constituency and next door in Great Yarmouth. The project will be a major one and time is needed for the planning work before the Board can commit itself to a date.