§ Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will undertake a survey of building costs for 42W building new hospitals and improving existing ones; whether he is satisfied with the present methods of costing hospital developments; how many members of the Welsh Hospital Board hold qualifications enabling them to undertake this work; whether he is satisfied that architectural work is sufficiently distributed among Welsh architects; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe present method of controlling the standards and cost of hospital building was introduced in 1967 and appears to be working satisfactorily. Costs are continually being surveyed with a view to obtaining better value for money. I understand that the Welsh Hospital Board employs a staff of 23 full-time professionally qualified officers who advise it on the technical and financial aspects of hospital development. In addition, the board engages consultants in professional practice as necessary.