§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the progress on hospital construction within each of the district health authorities within the West Midlands regional health authority's responsibility; which already announced programmes have been delayed, and why; and if he will make a detailed statement on the extension for the Walsall Manor hospital.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe West Midlands regional health authority is responsible for the management of building schemes contained in its operational capital programme. The hon. Member may therefore wish to write to the chairman of the regional health authority for further information about individual schemes.
I understand, however, that the regional health authority has decided to defer by some nine months the start on site dates of a number of developments. The adjustment of the starting dates arises from a review of the region's £870 million capital programme to ensure that the year-on-year expenditure remains within budget. Recent expenditure has been rising at a higher level than anticipated because of the success in keeping to construction target dates.