§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which hospitals in Scotland that previously had solid fuel heating have received his authorisation to install an oil-burning apparatus;
(2) if he will name the regional hospital boards which have received his authorisation to install oil-burning heating in preference to coal in new hospital development projects.
§ Mr. RossThe five regional hospital boards have been told that in choosing between coal and oil fuel for heating plant in hospitals the decision has to favour coal in all cases where coal is cheaper or where the cost difference in favour of oil does not exceed 5 per cent. Subject to his guidance regional hospital boards may at their own discretion and within the limits of their respective financial programmes install heating systems, in hospital developments costing up to £120,000, without any further authorisation, except for proposed installations in coal-mining areas, which are referred to my Department. The South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board has received separate authorisation in respect of one such project, at the Bangour Village Hospital, West Lothian.