§ 13. Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to expedite the provision of a community hospital in the new town of Peterlee.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis is a matter for the Northern regional health authority to decide in the light of local priorities and available resources.
§ Mr. DormandIs the Minister aware that there has been a great deal of talk but no action on this matter for several years? Is he further aware that the excellent site for the hospital which has been reserved by Peterlee new town development corporation may not be kept for much longer? As the overwhelming case for the hospital was accepted a long time ago, will the Minister stop giving bland answers and exert his power on the Durham health authority and the regional health authority to get an early priority for the hospital so that building can start soon?
§ Mr. ClarkeI hope that my answer was not too bland. The regional health authority has to do the difficult job of deciding its priorities in the region, within the available resources. It has to decide how early in the queue it can 849 put the Peterlee community hospital, which, I accept, everyone has been planning on for some years. Meanwhile, the hon. Gentleman's constituency is being served, because the second phase of the Hartlepool district general hospital, which serves his constituents, will be completed next year.