asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much of Uganda's allocation of the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund is it proposed to spend on hospital buildings; and whether he is satisfied that the sum could not be better spent in establishing dispensaries in outlying districts.

Mr. Creech Jones:

In the Uganda Development Plan £1½ million is earmarked for medical and health services. It is essential to the training of African medical officers and to the efficiency of the dispensary system that a fully equipped central hospital should be established. Accordingly a grant of £477,500 has been approved from Uganda's territorial Colonial Development and Welfare allocation for the building of a new central teaching hospital at Mulago, Kampala. £100,000 is also provided for new hospital buildings, dispensaries and health centres.

The emphasis in the Question is on buildings. Would my right hon. Friend say if he realises that there is a feeling that these are show pieces and are absorbing money which might go more usefully to, say, dispensaries?

Mr. Creech Jones:

I am fully alive to the dangers of a policy which places money on curative medicine, but obviously we must have a teaching hospital in East Africa if we are to train African doctors. At the same time, in the 10-year programme great emphasis is placed on preventive medicines and dispensaries and that kind of medical work.

Do the facts which the right hon. Gentleman has stated come to this, that nearly one third of the total expenditure on medical services is to take the form of one building, a central hospital at Kampala?

Mr. Creech Jones:

Yes, Sir. It is the extension of the university proposals in East Africa. There must be a basic teaching hospital, and £477,000 has been allocated for that purpose.

Will other East African Governments contribute, as this is part of the university proposals?

Mr. Creech Jones:

Yes, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise how useful temporary buildings are for hospital wards and how long they last—up to 50 years?

Mr. Creech Jones:

I have complete sympathy with the view that too much money should not be spent on buildings.