HC Deb 28 June 1999 vol 334 cc32-3W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the letter from Keith Blake of the Health Services and Management Division of the Welsh Office, addressed to Gwynfor Hughes of Porthmadog, dated 9 June, in relation to the future of the proposals for the new community hospital at Porthmadog. [88588]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

The Department's letter of 9 June set out the current position regarding funding for the North Merionydd/East Dwyfor Community Hospital scheme.

An Outline Business Case for the new hospital was approved by the Department in February 1999 and the scheme was considered for public funding in 1999–2000.

The Secretary of State's spending decisions for 1999–2000 made provision of £83 million for NHS capital expenditure to complete on-going schemes and for discretionary capital expenditure by Trusts. Funding was not allocated to this scheme.

Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the business plan submitted by North Wales Heath Authority for a new community hospital to serve North Meirionydd and Eastern Dwyfor was accepted by his Department; and what the current position is with regard to this project. [88620]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

The Outline Business Case for the North Merionydd/East Dwyfor Community Hospital was formally approved by the Department in February 1999.

Funding has not been allocated for this project to commence in 1999–2000.

I am unable to comment on the funding position for 2000–01.

Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if it is his Department's policy that the decision on whether to include in the 1999–2000 Capital Programme provision for a new community hospital to serve North Meirionnydd and Eastern Dwyfor, at Porthmadog, is a matter for the North Wales Health Authority. [88619]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

It is a matter for the North Wales Health Authority to decide if it wishes to continue its support for the provision of a new Community Hospital at Porthmadog.

The Department's policy is that NHS Trusts must provide confirmation of Health Authority support before a Business Case can be approved.

North Wales Health Authority did support in full the proposals from Gwynedd Community Health NHS Trust for the new Community Hospital at Porthmadog, and the Outline Business Case was subsequently approved by the Department and the scheme was considered for public funding in 1999–2000.

The Health Authority has confirmed that its position remains unchanged and it will continue to support the Trust's proposals.

Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly.