HC Deb 04 July 1966 vol 731 c31
34. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the Cleethorpes Borough Council's request for a new hospital to serve the people of North Lincolnshire; in view of the fact that this area will grow rapidly because of the off-shore findings of gas and oil, if he will give urgent priority to this hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Loughlin

I have sent the hon. Member a copy of my Department's reply to this request. It is for the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board to judge the priority which should be attached to this scheme. I know that they have in mind the prospective increase in population in North Lincolnshire.

Sir C. Osborne

While recognising that the hon. Gentleman cannot meet every demand in the country straight away, may I ask him to bear in mind that this area will be the gateway to Europe and will develop immensely? Will he, therefore, get a hospital built there quickly? Will he use his influence to get his former colleague to cross the Floor of the House and join us?

Mr. Loughlin

I appreciate the need of the Grimsby area, because the Grimsby Hospital is scheduled to cater for Cleethorpes and already deserves some degree of priority. But it must await completion of some of the schemes which the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board has in hand. We shall watch the position carefully. As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, my right hon. Friend the Member for Grimsby (Mr. Crosland) has already been in touch with me.