HL Deb 09 May 1985 vol 463 cc851-2WA
Baroness Jeger

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has happened to the endowment funds of the South London Hospital for Women; and what sum has been released by the sale of the site and buildings.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)

A major indenture was created in 1913 to purchase the land and erect a building to be known as the South London Hospital for Women. Under the terms of this indenture the South London Hospital for Women Corporation was permitted to lease the hospital for a period of 999 years for the annual rent of one peppercorn. Under the terms of the 1946 Health Act the leasehold and the freehold interest in the property vested in the Secretary of State. The South London Hospital for Women has received no income from the fund for many years, as it is long since exhausted.

There are, however, still in existence a number of other current trusts and endowments of which the South London Hospital is a beneficiary to the tune of some £100,000 per annum. South West Thames Regional Health Authority is currently engaged in negotiations with the Charities Commissioners to prepare a new trust deed in respect of these monies which will ensure that they continue to be used for the benefit of and to promote services for women and girls who will in future be treated at St. George's and St. James' Hospitals, Wandsworth and to explore the possibilities of creating a bursary for the training of women doctors in the district.

The South West Thames Regional Health Authority intends to dispose of the property on the open market and realise its full market value as soon as Her Majesty's Land Registry has formally approved an application to have the title deeds registered in the name of the Secretary of State.