HC Deb 24 May 1971 vol 818 cc15-6
12. Mr. Coleman

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has received for the redevelopment of the Neath General Hospital from the Welsh Hospital Board.

The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. David Gibson-Watt)

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 1st February, 1971.—[Vol. 810, c. 228.]

Mr. Coleman

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the grave concern being expressed in Neath at the delay in implementing the plans for this hospital, which were formulated as long ago as the time of the previous Conservative Administration? Will he confirm that the delay in deciding on the question of the medical school in Swansea will not be used to hold up the redevelopment of this rather important hospital?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Welsh Hospital Board is at present considering its plans for the hospital services in the West Glamorgan area. As to the last point, I can assure him that the question of the establishment of the medical school at Swansea will not delay a decision on the development of Neath General Hospital.

15. Mr. Denzil Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultations he has had with the Chairman of the Welsh Hospital Board regarding the future of Llanelly General Hospital.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

None. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on 16th July, 1970.—[Vol. 803, c. 267, 268.]

Mr. Davies

Is the Minister of State aware that there is considerable anxiety in my constituency that the establishment of a medical school providing 1,500 beds at Swansea might well lead to the closure of Llanelly Hospital? Would he, therefore, give an assurance that if that medical school is to be in Swansea—which we would welcome—no more than 800 beds will be provided on a single site and that the remainder of the beds will be distributed between Llanelly and the other surrounding hospitals?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I accept the hon. Gentleman's anxieties over this question and the matter of numbers. I repeat what I have said to his hon. Friend just now, that the hospital service in the area of his constituency will not be hurt by a possible medical school which may, at some time, come to Swansea.