§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the contract for the south Ayrshire hospital to be awarded; what is the expected completion date for building and the date on which the hospital will be opened for patients; what the planned bed complement is in each specialism for the new hospital; and what approval he has given for the arrangements for disposal of Ayr county, Heathfield and Seafield hospitals when they are surplus to requirement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI understand that Ayrshire and Arran health hoard hopes to award the contract for the 427W replacement acute hospital in 1988 with a view to completing the building by 1990. The board is responsible for determining the opening date and the allocation of beds among specialties.
My right hon. and learned Friend has not yet been asked to approve the closure and disposal of any of the hospitals in Ayr that may become surplus to requirements when the new hospital opens.