HC Deb 18 July 1961 vol 644 cc117-8W
Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, in connection with the proposed new general hospital for Dundee, the date on which the Government announced its inclusion in their building programme, the date on which the architect was appointed, the date on which building operations are now expected to begin, and the date on which it is estimated the first patients will receive treatment.

Mr. Maclay

A decision in principle to build this hospital was announced in 1955; the architect was appointed in 1956 and detailed work on plans began in 1959; building is expected to begin in 1963 or 1964; the building period cannot yet be reliably estimated, but is unlikely to be less than five to six years.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated cost of the proposed new general hospital for Dundee when it was originally included in the Government's programme; and what is the estimated cost of the present plans.

Mr. Maclay

The present estimated cost of the hospital and medical school together is about £9 million. No firm estimate for this project could be made at the stage when it was first announced, when the requirements had not been worked out in detail and there was no up-to-date experience to indicate the likely cost of a project of this nature.