HC Deb 27 October 1987 vol 121 cc157-8
7. Mr. Hawkins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the Tameside and Glossop general hospital development.

Mr. Newton

I am pleased to report that, after a delay while additional post-contract work is carried out, the admission of the first patients to phase II of Tameside general hospital is scheduled for the autumn of 1988.

Mr. Hawkins

My hon. Friend's statement will be well received in my constituency of High Peak and in the north-west as a whole. The large expansion of the hospital shows the Government's commitment to the Health Service and to the north. None the less, I seek an assurance from my hon. Friend that adequate funds will be made available in future so that the magnificent new facilities can be fully staffed without detriment to other important facilities in the north-west.

Mr. Newton

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's first remarks. I am glad to know that, even in this place, one can please some of the people some of the time. My hon. Friend will know that the region and the district are currently discussing funding issues. I think I am right in saying that the region has already offered £2.6 million as revenue consequences, but some issues remain to be settled.

Mr. Favell

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Well—yes—Mr. Favell.

Mr. Favell

I am entranced by the way in which you receive my question, Mr. Speaker.

As another north-west hon. Member, I do not have a postbag bulging with letters about the services that are being delivered in Stockport. Is one of the problems not inequality—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Does the hon. Member's question cover Tameside and Glossop general hospital?

Mr. Favell

It covers the north-west region and the north-west regional health authority.

Is one of the problems not inequality of resources but inequality of performance? Are not many districts just not performing?

Mr. Newton

I am afraid that I could not hear part of my hon. Friend's question, so I can hardly expect that he will be as entranced by the answer as Mr. Speaker was by the question. However, I can at least confirm that Stockport and Tameside are in the north-west region.