§ 22. Mr. Wallaceasked the Minister of Health what is his policy on phasing hospital development; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RobinsonThis will depend on particular circumstances.
§ Mr. WallaceIs my right hon. Friend aware that the present policy of spreading hospital development over two, three or more phases is adding to the frustrations of those working to provide urgently needed hospitals? Is he further aware that, in the case of replacement hospitals, the present policy is uneconomic and leads to wastage of a great deal of public money?
§ Mr. RobinsonThere are occasions when phasing is quite inevitable. For example, when new buildings are intended to replace existing provision on congested sites, and where service to patients has to be maintained, there may be no option but to develop the site in phases. There are advantages sometimes: it is possible, for instance, to make early progress with the most urgent needs of the hospital concerned.