HC Deb 24 February 1965 vol 707 cc365-6
5. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the seriousness of the problem, he will authorise the increased provision of maternity bed accommodation in West Fife.

Mrs. Hart

As my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Mr. Adam Hunter) on 3rd February, the need for maternity beds in West Fife and elsewhere will be considered in the course of the review of the hospital plan which we have in hand.

Mr. Hamilton

Is my hon. Friend aware that, for years now, I have been trying to inject into the Department a sense of urgency in this matter? Is she further aware that there is increasing concern and growing anger locally at the way in which the Department has evaded the issue? Will she pay a personal visit to the Dunfermline Maternity Hospital at the earliest opportunity? If she does, I am certain that it will get very much higher priority after the review.

Mrs. Hart

I should be glad to take up such an invitation, although I am already very much aware of the problems. I assure my hon. Friend that, in the review of the hospital building programme, they are being very much taken into account.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

When will the review be completed?

Mrs. Hart

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement last week and to the information already given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. It will take some time, but we are pursuing it as urgently as possible.

Mr. Noble

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind that, in the last two Questions, we have been told of two more reviews? There are at least 500 subjects on which the answer from the Government has been that they are reviewing the problem. Is it not now time for action?

Mrs. Hart

If there had been more action in the right hon. Gentleman's time as Secretary of State, there would be less need for reviews now.