§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the deferment of the provision of health centres in County Durham, listing the names of those centres to be deferred.
§ Mr. AlisonLast June it was necessary to inform local health authorities, including Durham County Council, that it would not be possible to approve the start of any more health centres in 1973–74 because of the record growth in demand and because other important aspects of community care must receive a proper share of available resources. My right hon. Friend is now looking at health centre projects which local authorities would start during 1974–75 if sufficient funds were available.
The schemes mentioned by Durham County Council are (in alphabetical order) at Belmont, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Crook, Houghton-le-Spring, Sedgefield, Shildon, Stanley, Whickham and Willington. My right hon. Friend hopes to complete this review early in the New Year.
As a result of the phasing forward of building contracts announced on 8th October, the proposed health centres at Coundon which had previously been due to start in 1973–74, will now be deferred until 1974–75.