HC Deb 28 February 1955 vol 537 cc210-1W
28. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board is anxious to put in hand work for essential plant replacement and other hospital repairs in the financial year 1955–56 in addition to work covered by its existing capital allocation; and why he has not already agreed to increase the capital allocation to avoid unnecessary delay.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I would again refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave him on 6th December.

38. Mr. Hartley

asked the Minister of Health what additional allocation of capital expenditure for Newcastle Regional Hospital Board in the years 1955–56 and 1956–57,respectively, will result from the recently announced hospital building programme for those years.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As I indicated in my statement on 9th February, no change in the 1955–56 programme is proposed. It is too early yet to say what will be any particular board's share of the 1956–57 programme, but I hope that work on the new West Cumberland Hospital and the extension of the Prudhoe and Monkton mental deficiency hospital in the Newcastle Region will start in that year.