§ Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Health to what extent, in deciding whether to authorise the closure of the Stroud General Hospital, he will take into consideration the extra cost of the ambulance services, the number of man-hours lost to production and the loss of wages which will result in the Stroud area by reason of casualties being taken to Gloucester or Bristol.
§ Mr. BarberNo proposal to close Stroud General Hospital is before me. When the time comes to consider its future the primary consideration must be to ensure that patients get the best medical treatment available.