HC Deb 17 March 1980 vol 981 c38W
Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake a major programme of capital investment to replace and modernise old hospitals and expand the number of health centres.

Sir George Young

Health authorities in England are already engaged in an active programme of capital investment. At 31 March 1979 there were 54 hospital building schemes each costing £2 million or more in progress, and 20 were planned to start during 1979–80. A substantial number of minor building schemes, many involving modernisation of old hospitals, were in progress or due to start in 1979–80. Building work was expected to start on 72 new health centres.