§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what uses any money realised by the sale of Dr. James Crichton's heritable and other assets in Dumfries and Galloway health board will be put.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe former heritable and other assets of Dr. James Crichton form only a small part of the current Crichton Royal hospital site. It is not the intention of Dumfries and Galloway health board to dispose of any of these assets at this time.
§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to Dumfries and Galloway health board in respect of the sale of heritable and other assets acquired by the Board and which were part of the assets of the late Dr. James Crichton, transferred to the board's predecessor under the National Health (Scotland) Act 1947, and in particular the guidance he has given regarding the application of the free proceeds of sale of such assets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMy right hon. Friend has given no such guidance to the health board. It is for each health board to consider whether NHS property should be made available for disposal, in the light of Government policy and legal advice, so that the proceeds can be used for the benefit of the NHS.