§ 14. Mr. Colemanasked the Secretary of State for Wales what Welsh hospital building projects are affected by phase 3 of the counter-inflation proposals of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe hospital building programme will be adjusted to take account of the rephasing announced by the Government last month. The detailed effect on individual schemes will depend on the outcome of the study now being prepared by the Welsh Hospital Board.
§ Mr. ColemanWill the hon. Gentleman give a categoric assurance that no project concerned with fire precautions in hospitals, especially in mental hospitals, will be delayed under phase 3? Will he also look into the urgency of providing a new pharmacy at Neath General Hospital? The existing pharmacy constitutes a hazard from the point of view of escape in the event of a fire.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI shall look specifically into the point the hon. Member has raised because I do not have the answer this afternoon. The new pharmacy at Neath General Hospital will be started in 1974 instead of in the last quarter of this year.
§ Mr. PadleyWhile I welcome the hon. Gentleman's assurance that he will look into the question of fire precautions in mental hospitals, may I ask him to consider the position in Parc Mental Hospital, near Bridgend, where there is reason to fear that expenditure cuts will take place? Will he also look into the position relating to hospitals at Maesteg and Bridgend, where, again, there is reason to fear that there will be phase 3 cuts in necessary expenditure—necessary in view of the absence of the new hospital to which I referred earlier?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattYes, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman.