§ 41. Mr. Bill Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospitals have been closed in Scotland since 1979; and how much has been spent on hospital capital projects in the same period.
§ Mr. John MacKaySince 1979, 27 hospitals have been closed. Capital expenditure on the hospital and community health services in Scotland since 1979–80 has amounted to £614 million. Of this sum, it is estimated that around £402 million has been taken up in the construction of new hospitals and in the upgrading of existing hospital buildings.