HC Deb 10 July 1972 vol 840 cc1162-3
14. Mr. Fred Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that the Welsh Hospital Board carries out the reorganisation of hospital services in the Rhymney Valley in such a way as to provide a full range of services at the Caerphilly Miners' Hospital, in line with the discussion he had with the Rhymney Valley Hospital Action Committee and his letter of 4th June, 1971.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I am satisfied that the Welsh Hospital Board are implementing the pattern of services approved in the Welsh Office's letter of 4th June, 1971.

Mr. Evans

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a letter written to the Secretary of State for Wales on 23rd June by the chairman of Caerphilly urban district council, who also represents the Rhymney Valley Hospital Action Committee, expresses utter dissatisfaction with the way in which the Welsh Hospital Board intends to implement the letter of the Secretary of State of 4th June, 1971? Is the hon. Gentleman aware, further, that there is considerable bitterness in the letter to which I have referred, which charges practically a breach of faith? Will the hon. Gentleman accept from me that in the whole of the Rhymney Valley the community is filled with bitterness about what is considered to be a situation in which it has been sold down the river, and that it equates this kind of action at a more local level with the larger elements of betrayal in this Government's general policy on prices and the Common Market and in many other directions?

Mr. Speaker

Order. I must point out that lengthy supplementaries simply mean that fewer hon. Members have an opportunity to ask questions. I must ask hon. Members to be brief.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

The hon. Gentleman's concluding remarks vitiate the interest that he rightly has in the hospital services in Caerphilly. It has never been envisaged that a district general hospital should be in Caerphilly, however. I myself have visited the hospital and have had a number of discussions. The hospital board has had discussions with the action committee. Further talks are being arranged between the hospital board and the action committee. Naturally I hope that the best answer will be found for Caerphilly.