§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) why it was not decided until after contracts had been signed for a new kitchen that a recreation area would be built at Johnstone infectious diseases hospital at Renfrewshire;
(2) why it took 18 months to plan the new purpose-built block at Johnstone infectious diseases hospital; and why four to five weeks after the signing of the construction contract, work was stopped on the kitchen.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 22 February 1988]: After the Argyll and Clyde health board had let the contract, advice was received that the service to patients could be improved by the introduction of a cook-chill system for food, which would also generate revenue savings. The board therefore cancelled the part of the contract relating to the fitting-out of the kitchen, and revised the scheme to improve the recreational facilities for the patients instead. The project falls within the board's delegated limit; it is up to boards to manage the progress of such projects through the various building procedures subsequent to approval-in-principle, taking account of the availability of resources at the tender stage.