§ 2. Mr. McAvoyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct Greater Glasgow health board to proceed with the original proposal to build a geriatric hospital in Rutherglen, owned, staffed and managed within the National Health Service.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Forsyth)No. The Greater Glasgow health board's plans to work in partnership with the private sector could result in a brand new geriatric hospital for Rutherglen in only 18 months and at no capital cost to the board. I regret that the hon. Gentleman does not feel able to support the speedy provision of modern facilities for the elderly in his constituency.
§ Mr. McAvoyI thank the Minister for his answer. I know that he gave it with all the authority of a man who knows that he is the real boss in the Scottish Office. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we in Cambuslang and Rutherglen hold him personally responsible for blocking the plans for a National Health Service geriatric hospital in Rutherglen and replacing them with facilities provided by Takare plc? The health board says that it does not have the capital to build an NHS hospital but it says that if Takare goes bust it will find the capital to buy the facility from it. Will the Minister explain why the board has the capital to pay Takare but is unable to build an NHS hospital?
§ Mr. ForsythIt is not true that the Greater Glasgow health board does not have sufficient capital. Its capital allocation this year is—I speak from memory—about £28 million. The board wishes to ensure that its resources go as far as possible to provide the greatest possible standard of 128 care. If it is possible to get a hospital built in the hon. Gentleman's constituency more quickly at no capital cost, that capital will be available for facilities elsewhere. The hon. Gentleman is putting his dogma before the interests of patients.