§ 15. Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish an inquiry to assess the need for a district general hospital to be situated in West Monmouthshire.
§ Mr. RowlandsAs from 1st April, initial responsibility for planning hospital services in this area will rest with the Gwent area health authority. In reviewing its priorities, it will, I am sure, be looking again at the need for a district general hospital in West Monmouthshire.
§ Mr. KinnockWill my hon. Friend make his opinions and those of his Department known in the matter of hospital provision, in view of the improvement which is likely to take place in the mining industry as a result of the latest award, 652 the rate of morbidity in the general population of West Monmouthshire, and the fact that the population has increased, so that there is generally more need for a properly equipped hospital?
§ Mr. RowlandsAs from 1st April this matter rests with the Gwent area health authority initially, but I am sure that my hon. Friend's views and those of many others will be heard during the discussions on the proposals.
Mr. Tom EllisIs my hon. Friend aware that preventive medicine has been something of a Cinderella in comparison with the hospital service? Will he draw the attention of the hospital authorities to that fact, as it seems that this unfortunate trend is likely to be perpetuated?
§ Mr. RowlandsOf course I shall draw my hon. Friend's views to the attention of the authorities concerned.