§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Scotland was aware of the opposition from the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland to the siting of the proposed hospital at Huntlyburn before approving the scheme; and whether, in view of the Commission's recommendation in its recent report to change the site to Tweedbank, that decision is not now questionable.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (The Earl of Mansfield)My Lords, the decision to site the Borders District General Hospital at Huntlyburn was taken in 1969 when the site was acquired. I am not aware that there was any opposition from the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland at that stage. The decision was endorsed at the end of 1977 by the Borders Regional Council, as planning authority, after full consultation with all interested parties and the consideration of representations. Their representations included a suggestion by the Commission that the site be changed to Tweedbank. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State is satisfied that Huntlyburn is the best location for the hospital, and planning on this basis is at an advanced stage.
Earl HAIGMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply, but, as it is vital to make sure that the hospital is built in the right place, would he allow me, through him, to urge the Secretary of State to visit the two alternative sites, particularly as the previous Secretary of State decided against 538 holding a public inquiry, and as the plans, questioned by the Royal Fine Art Commission, objected to by the Georgian Society and contravening principles laid down by the Countryside Commission, have lately added an extra floor to the building?
§ The Earl of MANSFIELDMy Lords, I shall bring to my right honourable friend's attention my noble friend's request that he should himself pay a visit. Perhaps I may say with regard to the alternative site at Tweedbank that there is insufficient land available there for a major hospital project. In any event it is the policy of the Borders Regional Council to develop Tweedbank for housing and industry as a means of retaining population in the central Borders and encouraging population growth in the longer term. The fact that the site which has been chosen is in an area designated as of great landscape value does not, of course, preclude development. Great care has been taken over the positioning and the design of buildings within the site.
§ Lord SEGALMy Lords, can the noble Earl say how far the building of this hospital has progressed during the interval of 11 years?
§ The Earl of MANSFIELDMy Lords, as I understand it, the scheme is not yet under way in the physical sense.
Lord CAMBPELL of CROYMy Lords, while not wishing that the hospital should be in any way delayed, can my noble friend none the less arrange for the views of the Royal Fine Art Commission to be considered before final decisions are taken, to ensure that the extra storey which has been proposed will not cause the building to be ugly and different from the one originally intended?
§ The Earl of MANSFIELDMy Lords, I can give my noble friend that assurance. The views of the Commission have already been considered by the local authorities concerned.
§ Lord SEGALMy Lords, can the noble Earl say when the building of this hospital is likely to be completed, and what is to happen to the intended patients in the meantime?
§ The Earl of MANSFIELDMy Lords, I am not armed with that information. Perhaps I may write to the noble Lord.