§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, following his reply, 20 June 1979, how much the new Liverpool Royal hospital has cost to build; how much it will cost to run next year; how much it cost during their last operational year to run the hospitals it replaced; when it is anticipated that manning levels for ancillary workers will be agreed; what Government assistance will be forthcoming in meeting the £180,000 repair bill recently announced; and whether he will have a public inquiry into these matters.
§ Dr. Vaughan, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 29 June 1979; Vol. 969, c. 368], gave the following answer:
The building and engineering cost of the new hospital—Phases II and III—is estimated at £42.6 million at 1976 price levels and is subject to adjustment up to final account. With additions for fees, equipment and price increases since that date the total is estimated at £56 million. 770W The revenue costs of the hospital are estimated at £15.5 million in 1980–81—whilst those of the facilities replaced were £14.4 million in 1977–78—both figures are at November 1978 prices and include the running costs of phase I. The Liverpool area health authority (teaching) hopes to reach agreement on ancillary staff manning levels by late autumn. The Department is considering with the Mersey regional health authority which, if any, of the extra works qualify for the 35 per cent. support from central funds normally available for major teaching hospital capital schemes. Some extra work is inevitable in all large hospital building projects and my right hon. Friend sees no need for further investigation or a public inquiry in this case.