HC Deb 22 January 1975 vol 884 cc393-4W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the delay in announcing a starting date for the new eye and accident hospitals in Birmingham.

Dr. Owen

These projects have been planned as part of a much larger development at the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre which is estimated to cost about £20 million. The finances available for capital building in 1975–76 are so restricted that I do not see any real prospect of being able to start this scheme in that year. I shall shortly be asking regional hospital authorities to consider priorities for 1976–77 and thereafter.