HC Deb 24 February 1976 vol 906 cc180-1
13. Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further cuts she proposes to make in the capital programme for hospital and local government services in 1977–78.

Dr. Owen

The details were published last Thursday in the White Paper on Public Expenditure (Cmnd. 6393).

Mr. Morris

Given the salutary reading from that White Paper, is the Minister aware that in Wellingborough and certain other towns all the general practitioners work from a privately financed and run health centre? Does that not offer a formula for the future financing of health centres, thus releasing resources for hospital building?

Dr. Owen

My experience is that general practitioners are constantly making demands for capital grants for health centre buildings which we cannot totally satisfy. The Government have given this subject high priority and will continue to do so. The idea that there is a large private sector wishing to take up health centre building is not my experience.

Mr. Corbett

Is the Minister aware that 70,000 of my constituents will be deeply incensed if they have to wait another five years after the start of the new town for a new hospital in Hemel Hempstead? May I press him and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to seek cuts in wasteful motorway programmes and defence expenditure before lengthening hospital queues?

Dr. Owen

The Public Expenditure White Paper reflects a choice of priorities, high on the list of which is health and personal social services. They are given higher priority than the motorway programme or the defence programme. The Public Expenditure White Paper reflects Socialist priorities. Perhaps it is not understood sufficiently in this House that the growth of expenditure in the National Health Service will be 2.7 per cent. and in personal social services 3.9 per cent. over the next year. Over the following three years, the growth will be 1.8 per cent. and 2 per cent. for the National Health Service and personal social services, respectively.

Mr. Michael McGuire

Is my hon. Friend aware that the planned hospital for Skelmersdale New Town, several years ago, was given the title of "the best buy" by his Department? The land is still available and the Government are under an obligation. Does he not agree that the Government have an obligation to build a new hospital, because that would give the much needed vote of confidence that the people demand from the Government?

Dr. Owen

I understand my hon. Friend's concern, particularly about the employment situation in Skelmersdale. I have promised to look into the question of the hospital building programme. In the last analysis it must rely on the overall priorities of the regional health authority concerned. There are other aspects, such as Skelmersdale's being a new town, which I shall examine.