§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his intentions regarding the number of beds to be included in the new Border General Hospital, including the geriatric unit, at Huntlyburn, in view of the fact that the present capacity of Peel Hospital, without either tonsillectomy or obstetric units, is 216 beds.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellMy announcement of 25th April about the hospital building progrmme indicated that band V of the programme would include a scheme for about 200 general beds in the Borders District General Hospital to be built on the Huntlyburn site. These beds are additional to the 90 geriatric beds for which provision is made in band III of the programme. Detailed planning is not yet sufficiently advanced to be more specific about the exact number of general beds, or the specialties which will be included.