Hospital Repairs

Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Health – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 May 1953.

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Photo of Mr Arthur Blenkinsop Mr Arthur Blenkinsop , Newcastle upon Tyne East 12:00, 7 May 1953

asked the Minister of Health the total expenditure on maintenance and repair of hospitals for 1952–53, as compared with 1951–52.

Photo of Mr Iain Macleod Mr Iain Macleod , Enfield West

Expenditure on the maintenance of hospital buildings, plant and grounds (excluding wages of staff) was just over £7.8 million in 1951–52. The estimate for 1952–53 was £10,059,000, but this is probably unrealistic and a final figure is not yet available.

Photo of Mr Arthur Blenkinsop Mr Arthur Blenkinsop , Newcastle upon Tyne East

Can the Minister say when he will be in a position to give the actual figures for the actual expenditure incurred over the 1952–53 financial year?

Photo of Mr Iain Macleod Mr Iain Macleod , Enfield West

I will let the hon. Member know, if he wants to put down a Question.

Photo of Mr William Shepherd Mr William Shepherd , Cheadle

Can my right hon. Friend say how much of this expenditure is devoted towards mental health?

Photo of Mr Iain Macleod Mr Iain Macleod , Enfield West

No, Sir, not without notice.

Photo of Colonel Ralph Glyn Colonel Ralph Glyn , Abingdon

Would my right hon. Friend say what steps he is taking to see that evacuated buildings are put to some good use instead of falling into disrepair when they come under hospital boards?

Photo of Mr Iain Macleod Mr Iain Macleod , Enfield West

I think the most important recent step is that we have now abandoned the separate ceiling for building maintenance, which affects both these previous years' figures, and hospitals have been instructed—it will be of great benefit to them—that they can spend as much as they like on building maintenance within their total allocation.