HC Deb 26 March 1979 vol 965 cc13-4
11. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to expedite the remaining stages of the redevelopment plan of the Royal Gwent hospital, Newport, Gwent.

Mr. Barry Jones

The redevelopment of the Royal Gwent hospital is taking a large share of the funds available for hospital building in Wales. I hope to see the chairman of the Gwent area health authority shortly to discuss progress.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister appreciate that in most specialties the waiting lists at the Royal Gwent hospital are getting longer? That hospital serves the most densely populated area in Wales. Should not the remaining stages be put into the capital programme?

Mr. Barry Jones

Everything possible is being done to complete scheme 5, which is a £5.5 million project. When completed, there should be a great improvement in the waiting lists.

Mr. Kinnock

While moving towards the completion of the scheme, and perhaps expediting it, should not plans be set up for the further development of hospital services to serve Newport, Gwent and parts of Mid-Glamorgan? Those plans should be ready to avoid a time lag between the completion of the project in Newport and the opening of the inevitable and necessary hospital in the valley area.

Mr. Barry Jones

That is being considered after hearing the views of my hon. Friend the Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) and the deputation that I received last month.

Mr. Abse

Does the Minister agree that these much-needed programmes and plans for Gwent, as in other parts of Wales, would be at risk if we had a Conservative Government who were pledged to cut public expenditure? We have long waiting lists in Gwent and throughout Wales, despite the efforts of this Government and their capital expenditure. Those lists would grow longer under a Conservative Government pledged to the most ruthless cuts in public expenditure.

Mr. Barry Jones

We gave the go ahead only last year for the five district general hospitals to be built in the early 1980s. It would be interesting to hear from the Conservative Front Bench whether it would go ahead with that scheme. I very much doubt whether it would. I do not see how it could find the money for Health Service expansion while proposing to cut taxes and spend more on defence.