§ 23. Miss Pikeasked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that new extensions to hospitals will not remain unused because of the refusal of his Department to grant the necessary finance.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThis would be my intention, but it is for hospital boards to decide how they allocate their total resources to the various parts of their services.
§ Miss PikeMay I draw the Minister's attention to the very valuable laboratory and research equipment lying idle at 1004 Hammersmith Post-graduate Hospital? In view of the fact that the first National Plan reduced the proportion of the gross national product devoted to health, will the Minister give an assurance that in the revised edition of the National Plan there will be no further reductions? In the present difficult financial circumstances, is he thinking of having a national lottery to help the hospitals?
§ Mr. RobinsonThe answer to the last part of the Question is, "No, Sir". I do not accept the hon. Lady's figures about a reduction in the share of the national resources going to health. This is a story which has been put out from the Opposition benches more than once and has been contradicted. I am happy to contradict it again. The hon. Lady raised a particular case involving Hammersmith Hospital. I have heard nothing about Hammersmith, but perhaps she would put the question on the Order Paper.