HC Deb 18 July 1983 vol 46 cc13-4
18. Mr. Abse

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the new capital financing programme for Welsh hospitals will prejudice the completion of the Royal Gwent hospital at Newport and the new commencement of the building of the West Monmouthshire hospital at Panteg.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Under the new system, responsibility for planning and programming their capital expenditure will be devolved to the health authorities. Decisions about the timing of particular projects will, therefore, be for them to consider in the light of competing demands for resources.

Mr. Abse

What is the point in talking about responsibility being devolved locally when decision-making will depend upon the capital available? Therefore, will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question that he avoided earlier this afternoon and tell us whether the hospital that has always been intended for west Monmouthshire will or will not be sabotaged as a result of the present capital expenditure arrangements? It is not a question of priorities; it is a question of money. Will the money be available for the hospital at Panteg?

Mr. Roberts

I find it hard to take such an attack from a party which massively cut the Health Service budget in Wales. The new capital financing programme is coming into effect because we are following a policy of disengagement. We have done so since 1979–80 and it has been welcomed by the health authorities. The case for the west Gwent hospital must be made to the health authority and it is for the authority to accept that. The question of financing will then arise, and that will probably be a matter for the authority. As I explained earlier, any project costing more than £2 million will need to have approval from the Welsh Office and any project costing more than £3 million will require Treasury approval.

Mr. Denzil Davies

The hon. Gentleman has still not answered the question. Will the cuts announced by the Chancellor last week, which specifically deal with the Health Service—because part of the reason for the cuts is that the family practitioner service is spending too much —affect the Health Service in Wales and will the west Gwent hospital be affected by the cuts?

Mr. Roberts

That hospital has not as yet been justified before the Gwent health authority. That is the first step. The question posed by the hon. Member does not, therefore, arise.