§ 27. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend the hospital building programme so as to include a replacement for the Peel Hospital in the current list of projects.
§ Mrs. HartMy right hon. Friend is considering the needs of the Borders in his review of the hospital building programme, but other priorities being what they are, I cannot yet forecast a date for replacing Peel Hospital.
§ Mr. SteelIs the Under-Secretary able to say whether the present economic study of the Borders will include a review of the question of this Border hospital? If so, can we expect a change in the present position when the report is published? Is she aware that the two arguments in favour of this replacement are, first, that it is badly sited and, secondly, that it is a temporary, war-time, wooden hutted hospital and that the only modern part of it is the morgue? Will Labour's modernisation plans extend to this life as well as the hereafter?
§ Mrs. HartModernisation plans certainly include making good some of the deficiencies in our geriatric and maternity accommodation in the area of the hon. Gentleman's constituency. This, I think he will agree, is as important a matter as a replacement for the Peel Hospital, which is at present giving good service to the people in the area. As to the question of the site, obviously any new hospital which is eventually built should be appropriate to the development of the area. In general, the Regional Hospital Board is considering various sites, but for the eventual decision we will have to wait until we have a clear indication of the pattern of development.