§ 2.58 p.m.
§ Lord AYLESTONEMy 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 changes are proposed regarding the continuance of the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital and its postgraduate training and teaching facilities under the National Health Service.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and SOCIAL SECURITY (Lord Wells-Pestell)My Lords, an assurance was given in 1976 that there was no question of the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital being required to leave its present site against the wishes of the staff and others closely interested in its future. There is no question of the present Government con- 1702 sidering its closure. Any proposals for the future of the hospital will be considered only in the light of these commitments. Post-graduate training and teaching is the responsibility of the Faculty of Homoeopathy, and not of the National Health Service.
§ Lord AYLESTONEMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, may I have his assurance that if there is need to move the hospital to some other site the facilities, both for doctors and for patients, will still be available?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I know it is the intention of my right honourable friend to maintain this particular contribution provided by the Faculty of Homoeopathy as long as it is needed by people using the National Health Service.