HC Deb 11 July 1978 vol 953 cc1234-5
8. Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has received for the maintenance and improvement of acute hospital facilities in Hemel Hempstead.

Mr. Moyle

Proposals for maintenance and minor improvements are the concern of health authorities and do not come to my Department for approval. Proposals for major improvement of acute hospital facilities would await a decision on the provision of acute hospital services for the north-west district of Hertfordshire by the health authorities before being submitted to my Department.

Mr. Corbett

Given that the chairman of the Conservative Party, Lord Thorneycroft, said in my constituency last Saturday that there was little hope of any incoming Conservative Government immediately making money available for a new hospital at Hemel Hempstead, can my right hon. Friend say exactly what the cash position is? Can he also confirm that we are talking about the development and maintenance of acute services in the area and not their destruction?

Mr. Moyle

I am appalled at the irresponsible remarks of Lord Thorneycroft. I have visited Hemel Hempstead and have no hesitation in saying that it needs decent hospital facilities to serve it. The Health Service will make capital money available for any reasonable solution to the hospital problems of the north-west Hertfordshire district and Hemel Hempstead in particular.

Dr. Vaughan

Does the Minister accept that there is great anxiety among people in Hemel Hempstead that their acute services are to be moved to St. Albans? This will cause great hardship for people who have to travel that distance, which is not easy.

Mr. Moyle

The acute anxiety which exists in Hemel Hempstead has been exacerbated by the intervention of Lord Thorneycroft. I urge the inhabitants of Hemel Hempstead to pay no attention whatever to Lord Thorneycroft, because if the Labour Party remains responsible for government Hemel Hempstead will have new hospital facilities, and money is available for them. The hon. Gentleman knows a lot more than I do about what is going on in Hemel Hempstead. He says—it is totally wrong—that the hospital facilities are to move to St. Albans.