HC Deb 17 December 1974 vol 883 cc388-9W
Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what grounds she decided to postpone the construction of residential medical and other staff accommodation at the new York District Hospital ; and what will be the effect on the service provided by the hospital for patients and potential patients resident in the county of North Yorkshire.

Dr. Owen

Construction of the staff residences for the new York District Hospital had to be postponed from 1974–75 for financial reasons as a result of the reductions in public expenditure announced by the previous Government in December 1973. Following my right hon. Friend's statement in the debate on the National Health Service on 2nd December—[Vol. 882, c. 1214-15.]—about finance for the National Health Service capital programme, I am now considering the detail of the programme for 1975–76 and I cannot yet say which building schemes I shall be able to approve to start.