HC Deb 26 July 1967 vol 751 cc738-9
60. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what date he has now fixed for the start of the new General Hospital at Airdrie; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ross

The planning of this complex scheme has taken several months longer than had been estimated. The provisional starting date for the site works is now the summer of 1969.

Mr. Dempsey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we had waited half a century for the new general hospital? Does not he agree that that is long enough? Is he further aware that the competent medical authorities have declared that the existing hospital is half a century out of date? Will he do his utmost to expedite the building of the new hospital?

Mr. Ross

I realise that Airdrie has waited half a century, but perhaps it can wait just a little longer. This new hospital will cost £5¾ million, and time taken at this stage in planning may save not only time but money in achieving this long awaited dream.

Mr. Stodart

Is not this one of the hospitals about which the right hon. Gentleman waxed extremely angry because it was not being started three years ago?

Mr. Ross

No. The hon. Gentleman is wrong again. The hospitals concerned then were those deferred beyond 1970 by the then Government. They were the hospitals in Ayr, Motherwell and Paisley and they have nothing to do with this Question. The new hospital concerned here has always been in the hospital building programmes both of this Government and of our predecessors.