HC Deb 23 February 1972 vol 831 cc1273-4
25. Sir F. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of health centres there will be in Scotland in 1980.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

About 200.

26. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many health centres are likely to be completed in 1972 in Scotland.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Twelve.

Mr. Brewis

I thank my right hon. Friend for that figure. How much extra finance will be made available in the next year from the emergency works programme for this desirable social objective?

Mr. Campbell

I thank my hon. Friend for his percipience and I am glad to say that we have been able to make additional finance of about £400,000 available for health centres through the additional public works programme in the period up to 31st March, 1973.

Mr. Carmichael

Is the Secretary of State sure that all the planning difficulties, quite apart from the financial difficulties, the arrangements with the doctors and social workers who will be using the health centres and so on have all been smoothed out? What response has he had from the dental profession about their taking up places in the health centres? I believe that as yet none is operating within a health centre.

Mr. Campbell

I am glad to say that in places where conditions are suitable the different medical services are coming together to make this service work. The dentists do not seem to find this so effective from their point of view. I am glad to have been present at the opening recently of two of these centres and to have seen how they are welcomed by the professions and the people they serve.