§ 4. Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the development of Bridgend hospital.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe first phase of the development of the new Bridgend hospital started in September 1981, at a cost of £12–5 million. Completion is expected in January 1985. The health authority intends that the second phase, which is estimated to cost £8 million, should follow closely on phase 1.
§ Mr. PowellWill the Minister give the House and me an assurance that the second phase will be developed in the interests of the 250,000 people who will be served by this hospital? The entire medical staff of the new Bridgend hospital are expressing grave concern that the phase 2 333 development might not take place as a result of the directive that he has sent to area health authorities regarding capital spending programmes.
§ Mr. RobertsI assure the hon. Gentleman that the health authority's present intentions are to complete the development of the new hospital as soon as possible to enable the services to be operated on one site. It is not for me to speculate on the rumours that the hon. Gentleman has been spreading. As to the directive that the hon. Gentleman attributes to me, I think that he is talking about the new arrangement for capital spending that will come into operation from April next year. The new arrangement means not necessarily less money, but more local control over the money made available to the Health Service.