§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure a full public consultation before the proposed closure of Woodcot and Arduthie hospitals in Grampian, and that the award of the contract for the replacement hospital is announced before the consultation is completed. [29734]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonPublic consultation carried out by Grampian health board through the local health council between June and September 1995 established strong support for a new hospital in Kincardineshire to replace the two existing old and unsuitable facilities. I look forward to learning the outcome of the tendering exercise currently being undertaken by the health board, and I will wish to be satisfied that any proposals put forward for an alternative model of service provision represent an improvement on what exists at present before I agree to the closure of any hospital.