§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to how much money, and on what basis, the European Parliament is considering making available to the south London hospital for women; and if, in the light of this, he will now reconsider his plans for the hospital's closure.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 25 May 1984, c. 574]: I have received a copy of a report from the European Parliament's Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Petitions. The report suggests that some limited assistance for specialised training courses might be provided, but there is no realistic prospect of adequate sums becoming available from Community funds to meet the substantial annual running costs of this hospital. The closure of the south London hospital is part of the improvement and rationalisation of acute services planned in Wandsworth and releases resources for the future development of St. George's hospital and for other priority services in the district. To keep this hospital open would not be the highest priority call on any extra funds that might become available from whatever source. I therefore see no reason to reconsider or delay the closure.