§ 3.0 p.m.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have in mind in respect of the building which was until recently the Victoria Hospital for Children, Tite Street, Chelsea.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (LORD TAYLOR)My Lords, there is a proposal that the site of this building should be used for the rebuilding of a convent, the present site of which will be needed for the proposed grouping of postgraduate teaching hospitals in Chelsea. The convent are still considering how best they can use the site at Tite Street. Provided that no unforeseen complications arise, the existing buildings will be demolished, probably later this year.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply may I say that there is likely to be disappointment that the building is not to be used as a hospital, particularly in view of the shortage of hospital beds in London at the present time. May I also ask the noble Lord if the rebuilding on this site can be expedited, bearing in mind that St. George's Hospital will not be ready for several years yet and that children were removed from this hospital to Tooting very swiftly and with very little negotiation?
§ LORD TAYLORMy Lords, the decision to move the children to Tooting was taken by the Board of Governors of St. George's Hospital, and I think it was a wise and sensible decision, having regard to all the facts. The point about this Chelsea site is that, until certain non-Governmental buildings can be moved, it is impossible to develop the great group of postgraduate teaching hospitals which is to go there. It was to make available a site into which one of these buildings could be decanted that it was decided to close this hospital.