§ 7. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what hospitals he has visited officially in Scotland since 1st January, 1971.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have visited one hospital in an official capacity. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State 355 for Health and Education has made two official visits in the period.
§ Mr. HunterI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but if he is unable to visit Dunfermline in the near future, would he ask the Under-Secretary responsible for the health services to come to Dunfermline and to see how badly we are in need of a new general hospital?
§ Mr. CampbellI am sure that my hon. Friend will consider that. I will make inquiries, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will write to me about any particular points he wishes to raise.
§ Mr. SteelWould the Secretary of State also consider an invitation for himself or his Under-Secretary to visit Peel Hospital on the Border? Is he aware that there are growing protests in Scotland as hospital standards rise elsewhere—and rightly so—that a wartime wooden-hutted hospital is no longer adequate to serve the needs of the populations of the four Border Counties? If he or his colleagues could see it for themselves, they would receive a warm welcome.
§ Mr. CampbellI will also consider that matter. I am aware of the conditions which have been described. I hope that the House will have noted the announcement I made last Friday about the reorganisation of the whole hospital service in Scotland.