Health Service Expenditure

HC Deb 15 January 1974 vol 867 c86W

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Scottish health service projects are to be affected by public spending cuts.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Full details of the effects of the reductions in capital expenditure estimates for 1974–75 on health service projects are not yet available. The general effect is likely to be that schemes under construction will not be affected but that a number of starts planned for 1974 will be deferred.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the delay caused by the public expenditure cuts to the South Ayrshire District General Hospital.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Since South Ayrshire District General Hospital is still in the early planning stages a starting date for it has not yet been determined. It is therefore impossible to assess the effect, if any, upon this project of the reductions in public sector capital expenditure estimates for 1974–75 announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December.