§ 29. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that in the new Borders district hospital, all departments at present in Peel Hospital will be included, and that the addition of tonsillectomy and maternity units will be considered.
§ Mr. MonroThe announcement of the inclusion of the new Borders District Hospital in the major building programme enables the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board to put the planning of the project in hand and, when the appropriate stage of planning is reached, the points the hon. Gentleman makes will of course be taken into consideration.
§ Mr. SteelIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is some concern in the area, not only that the specialties I have mentioned may not be included but that it is rumoured that the children's ward at Peel may not be included? If that were so, it would be a thoroughly retrograde step. Will the hon. Gentleman give the assurance for which I have asked in the Question?
§ Mr. MonroAll the options are open at this stage. The early stages of planning are being considered by the regional hospital board. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that all the points which he and his colleagues in the Borders who have shown particular interest in this matter have raised will be considered most carefully.