§ 28. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Health when his Department vacated the Pinewood Hospital buildings at Wokingham; and when he expects to hand the buildings to Berkshire County Council for use in connection with East-hampstead Park College of Education.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe last patient left on 21st January but some buildings are still in use as a store. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is considering whether the property could meet a requirement he has in mind. I am unable, therefore, to indicate yet whether the property can be made available to the Berkshire County Council.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI quite understand that the Minister is not the sole person responsible for the delay, but will he accept that he has a special responsibility to see that the delay in using these buildings does not extend beyond the three months it is at the moment? Will he take it that I am visiting the area on Saturday and I should like a decision by then?
§ Mr. RobinsonAt present the matter rests with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. I am quite sure that he will take no unreasonable time in coming to a decision, but, obviously, until I am satisfied that the property is not needed for Crown purposes, I cannot authorise its disposal to someone else.