§ 15. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will ensure that in the next hospital building programme a new general hospital in the Borders will be included to replace Peel Hospital and to ensure an adequate improvement in medical services to meet the needs of the programme of Border development.
§ Mr. MillanThe content of the hospital building programme for the period after 1970–71 has still to be determined. But, whether or not the programme includes a new general hospital to replace Peel, medical services will be kept at a sufficiently high level to meet the needs arising from development in the Borders.
§ Mr. David SteelIs the Under-Secretary aware that that Answer is not wholly encouraging? It is essential that the Scottish Office, in undertaking this programme of development, should stipulate that a new hospital must be part and parcel of that development.
§ Mr. MillanAs the hon. Gentleman knows, it is accepted that the hospital will have to be replaced at some time. What I am not able to give him at the moment is a precise date for it. He also knows that this will be considered in relation to economic development in the Borders.