§ LORD FERRIERMy 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 whether they are aware of the widespread anxiety among individuals and local authorities in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire at the proposal to establish a new general hospital in Motherwell to take over the functions of the existing hospital at Law, involving a marked increase in the already great distances which patients and visitors have to travel from a large area without adequate compensating advantages; and, further, whether they are satisfied that the proposed site, with its already limited area, can provide sufficient parking space for duty, staff and visitors' vehicles in terms of present day and estimated future requirements.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)My Lords, after considerable discussion with local interests, the previous Administration approved the Regional Hospital Board's proposal that the new district general hospital at Motherwell should serve the Motherwell—Hamilton area and that, in addition to long-stay beds, a number of acute beds in the major specialties should be retained at Law Hospital to serve the upper ward. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State approves the course proposed. The 39-acre site at Motherwell is considered fully adequate for the intended purpose.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, 499 may I ask whether he is satisfied that the authorities fully grasp the fact that, since that plan was decided, and indeed since this Question was put down, new development plans for building in Lanarkshire have been published which will alter the whole population pattern of the area so as to alter the premises upon which the original plan was based?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, I take it that the noble Lord is referring to the proposed development at Carluke. In that case the effect of the development would be to increase slightly the number of beds required at Law. It will not affect in any way the fact that the convenient centre for the densely populated Hamilton—Motherwell area is Motherwell.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord, may I say that the plans also include extension to build up the population in Lanark, thereby increasing the number of people in the landward area of Lanarkshire, increasing the numbers who will have to travel larger distances than ever in order to receive attention or to visit patients at Motherwell?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, I think it is inevitable in the system of hospitals as we have them that some people must travel a certain distance to the most suitable hospital. That is a small price to pay for making available to them the best possible medical treatment in convenient centres, and my right honourable friend is satisfied that the arrangement, considered at great length by his predecessor and approved by him, is one from which he would find difficulty in departing.