§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the timescale for the amalgamation of maternity services in Belfast; what is the estimated cost of refurbishing the Royal Maternity Hospital to accommodate this change; when the capital for this will be made available; and if other capital projects will be displaced as a result. [32638]
§ Mr. WorthingtonDetailed plans for the transfer of maternity services from the Belfast City Hospital have yet to be drawn up by the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust. The provisional target date for the amalgamation is April 1999. Estimates for the cost are not yet available. No other existing projects will be displaced to accommodate this.