§ Mr. Tudor Watkinsasked the Minister of Health what changes he proposes in Breconshire and Radnorshire as to the building of clinics by the respective health authorities; and whether it was with his consent that a population limit unsuitable for rural areas has been given, in view of the fact that the 10-year programme for clinics has been curtailed.
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§ Mr. SnowEarlier this year all local health authorities were informed by circular that my right hon. Friend did not consider that the need for purpose-built clinics should normally arise where the population to be served was less than 7,000 and that he would hesitate to approve any scheme to provide in areas of small population premises which were not also intended to provide accommodation for general medical or dental practitioners.
Breconshire County Council have been asked to reconsider their clinic programme of consultation with the Breconshire Executive Council and the results are awaited by the Welsh Board of Health. My right hon. Friend would expect Radnorshire County Council to bear his views in mind should they contemplate further purpose-built clinics.