HC Deb 31 May 1965 vol 713 cc1160-1
41. Mr. Wallace

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to complete his review of hospital building; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. K. Robinson

I have asked hospital boards to send me their preliminary proposals by 1st November, 1965. I outlined the objectives of the review in the statement I made on 8th February.

Mr. Wallace

Could my right hon. Friend indicate when he thinks the review is likely to be published?

Mr. Robinson

I can express a hope, and that is that we may be able to publish the results of the review during the first half of 1966.

Mr. Wood

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very considerable disquiet felt in all parts of this House about projects which are being postponed, and will he give a firm undertaking now that, as was promised last October, the resources available are going to be greater than they were for the hospital programme which the previous Government had in mind?

Mr. Robinson

Of course, any postponement is bound to cause disappointment in some area. I really must make it clear to the right hon. Gentleman and to the House that postponements during the current year are on a substantially smaller scale than took place in any of the previous annual reviews of the regional hospital plan. I repeat what my hon. Friend said in answer to an earlier supplementary question—that if I had not provided an extra £5 million over and above what the previous Government had intended to allocate for the current financial year the number of postponements would have been substantially greater.

Mr. Lubbock

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is to be a similar review of local authorities' health and welfare plans?

Mr. Robinson

Yes, there is, and I hope to send a circular to local health authorities in the very near future.