§ 4. Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with a replacement for Lewis hospital.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. John MacKay)My Department has agreed that the Western Isles health board should prepare a submission for approval in principle of a first phase comprising geriatric accommodation. The board, with the assistance of the building division of the common services agency, is investigating possible sites.
§ Mr. StewartIs the Minister aware that that is extremely disappointing as negotiations for the replacement of the Lewis hospital have been going on for over nine years? It seems that the call for plans for a green field site will postpone the project to the unforeseeable future. Will he visit the area and have talks with the Western Isles health board to ascertain whether it can assist in overcoming the serious problems that exist in the area?
§ Mr. MacKayIf time permits within the next few months, I shall be delighted to visit the board. Difficulties have been encountered in the proposal for the redevelopment of the existing Lewis hospital. The board is now considering the possibility of utilising a green field site. This inevitably and unfortunately means a delay in the preparation of the submission, but that has to be set against the background of the problems attaching to the development of the existing site.