Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the cost to public funds of the reconstruction of the Mater Hospital, Belfast.
§ Mr. CarterIt was recently announced by my noble Friend the Minister of State responsible that a reconstruction scheme at a cost of £6.6 million at current prices had been agreed with the trustees of the hospital and that the trustees would contribute £2.6 million of the cost, the balance of £4 million coming from public funds.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if arrangements were made under the deed of 101W arrangement by which the Mater Hospital, Belfast, came under public control for the termination of that deed and the return of the hospital buildings to the control of the former owners; if so, who has the right to initiate such a termination; and what is the time scale.
§ Mr. CarterThe Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services has leased from the trustees the Mater Infirmorum Hospital for a term of 999 years. If, during the currency of the lease, the Department fails to honour its terms, provision is made for the repossession of the premises by the trustees.