asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the prospect of building a health clinic in Glenrothes;

(2) if he is aware of the anxiety in Glenrothes, particularly among women, concerning the inadequacy of health and welfare services in the town; and what steps he intends to take in the immediate future to improve such services.

My Department is in touch with both the local health and hospital authorities about the health and welfare services and I am awaiting plans from the county council for a proposed new clinic. They have already been given authority to borrow for the purchase of the site.

Although that is quite satisfactory as far as it goes, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will speed things up in view of the very disturbing figures of the stillbirth rate in Glenrothes as compared with the rest of Fife?

I realise there has been some concern about this matter. I hope that the decision about the clinic will make a big difference.