§ 9. Mr. Gristasked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has received from the South Glamorgan health authority regarding the Prince of Wales hospital, Rhydlafar.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe health authority has submitted outline proposals for repairs and improvements to staff accommodation, operating facilities, heating and roofs. The detailed plans are being worked up by a project team from the authority, Welsh Office and the Welsh health technical services organisation.
§ Mr. GristDoes my hon. Friend appreciate how far what he has just said and what the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority has said about the hospital go to reassure the many people who have been deeply alarmed and concerned about the future of Rhydlafar?
§ Mr. RobertsI know the hospital personally, having visited it on a number of occasions both as a Minister and previously. I know how much the hospital and its services are valued generally in south Wales and how much the positive decision of my right hon. Friend was also appreciated by the community at large.
§ Mr. ColemanWill the hon. Gentleman go a little further and give a categoric assurance that the Prince of Wales hospital, which is renowned internationally as an orthopaedic hospital, will not be put in jeopardy as a result of the manoeuvres of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. RobertsI have already given some reassurance about that. The plans are going ahead as required to implement the refurbishment of the hospital. It is still very much in the planning stage. There is to be another meeting of the project team on 27 July, when the plans will be developed yet again.