HC Deb 12 February 1979 vol 962 cc793-4
Mr. Michael Roberts

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter which I believe should have urgent consideration, namely, the seriously deteriorating condition in Cardiff hospitals—Ely, Whitchurch and the Royal infirmary. The Whitchurch hospital is in my constituency, Mr. Speaker, the Ely hospital you will know very well, and the Royal infirmary is in the constituency of the Prime Minister. However, all these hospitals serve the people of the whole of the city of Cardiff and its surrounding areas.

This matter is specific, in that officers of the Department of the Environment at the city hall have inspected the growing piles of rubbish which have been collecting at these hospitals and others, and at these three hospitals they have actually issued certificates stating that the rubbish piles constitute a serious health hazard. This is not a speculation in the press; it is specifically certified by experts that the serious health hazard exists.

The matter is important, because the patients could not possibly be evacuated to any other hospital if it were decided that these three had to be closed. It is important also because the Royal infirmary has the only major accident unit in the area to deal with all accidents and emergencies.

The matter is urgent, because the situation could deteriorate in other hospitals and areas. The additional factor which makes it extremely urgent is that the emergency procedures have broken down. Although the hospital workers are perfectly prepared to allow people to come in and remove the piles of rubbish which constitute the health hazard, there is a dispute between the dustmen and the city authority which precludes this from being done.

Therefore, we face the total disruption of hospitals in the Cardiff area.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Cardiff, North-West (Mr. Roberts) gave me notice before noon today that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the seriously deteriorating condition in Cardiff hospitals—Ely, Whitchurch and the Royal infirmary. May I take the unusual step of telling the House that this Standing Order No. 9 application applies to my own constituents, who are mentioned in it? The House will understand, therefore, that I have listened with anxious care to the hon. Member and to the serious statement that he has made.

The House will also be aware that my powers are very limited and that I have to decide only whether this matter shall be discussed by this House tonight or tomorrow. After the most anxious consideration, I have to tell the hon. Member that I cannot submit his application to the House.