§ 57. Mr. Whitlockasked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the revised hospital building programme 1963–74 for the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board compared with the programme previously agreed; which schemes have now been postponed until the period 1970–74; and which schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 have now been deferred beyond 1974.
§ Mr. BarberThe financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £15 million compared with what was originally proposed.
As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the 8W national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes.
The Schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan are as follows:
Fir Vale Infirmary—Geriatric beds.New district general hospital at Chesterfield.Kilton Hospital, Worksop—further development.Manor Hospital, Derby—rebuilding of geriatric accommodation.Of these schemes which were in the programme following the first revision only the upgrading and additional geriatric beds at the Skegness and District Hospital has been deferred beyond 1974.
Many schemes now differ considerably in scope from what was earlier envisaged, and are likely to change further.