§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether there has been any change in the estimated cost of the remedial works being carried out on the cardiac block at Great Ormond street hospital;
(2) if he will make a statement on the exploratory works carried out on the cardiac block at Great Ormond street hospital.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe recent discovery of further serious structural defects in the cardiac wing of the Hospital for Sick Children will certainly increase both the cost of the remedial works and the time required to carry404W them out. The consultants and contractors are opening up and inspecting the foundations of the building as rapidly as is possible having proper regard for the safety of those doing the work. It will not be possible for them to estimate the additional cost until this process has been completed. Depending on what they discover and the conclusion they draw, it may then be necessary to reassess the whole programme for repairing this building.