§ 1. Mr. Cordleasked the Minister of Health if he will instruct the Wessex Regional Hospital Board to reconsider its proposals regarding Christchurch Hospital.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)The Board intends to consider its proposals again at the conclusion of the local consultations at present being carried out by the Bournemouth and East Dorset Hospital Management Committee.
§ Mr. CordleIs the Minister aware that there are 19 acres of land available—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We cannot have Question Time against a background of conversation.
§ Mr. CordleIs the Minister aware that there are 19 acres of land available for the development of the hospital, and in a rapidly expanding area a better hospital service is needed for this district, not the reverse as now proposed by the Wessex Regional Hospital Board?
§ Mr. RobinsonThe Board will not decide whether it wishes to give effect to the proposals until the outcome of the consultations is known. If it then con 216 cludes that there should be a material change in the use of the hospital, it will refer its scheme to me.