§ 21. Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made in acquiring the land at Cil Melyn for the proposed new general hospital for Caernarvon and Anglesey.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI understand that the planning authorities are now pre 888 pared to issue a certificate of alternative development under the Land Compensation Act, 1961, for the whole of the site and the district valuer is proceeding with his negotiations for the acquisition on that basis.
§ Mr. HughesI am grateful in a limited sense to the Minister of State for that reply, but is he aware that there is considerable concern in North Wales about the delay in acquiring this land, and that the consultants and the nursing staff of the Caernarvon and Anglesey Infirmary are working under considerable difficulty? Is it still Government policy to commence work on this hospital in 1975?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattNegotiations for the purchase of land are often protracted, especially when, as in this case, the land is in multi-ownership. On the question of time, I can give the right hon Gentleman the assurance that the planning of the new hospital is proceeding well and is in no way affected by the negotiations for the land.