§ 31. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects phase two of the development of Hospital of St. Cross, Rugby, to be carried out.
§ The Under-Secretary of State to Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. Julian Snow):No precise date has been assigned. The regional hospital board is at present reviewing its programme.
§ Mr. Price:Is my hon. Friend aware that the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board has pushed this programme so far back that it has now virtually disappeared? Will he tell the board to take its hands of Rugby's medical services, unless it wants real trouble?
§ Mr. Snow:Some of us have broad shoulders and, perhaps, the board will look at it in that light. I remind my hon. Friend that certain changes are taking place in the distribution of services in the Rugby area as a result of the opening of new hospitals elsewhere. The size of the population which should be served by a district general hospital has yet to be determined.