asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an approximate starting and finishing date for the new general hospital to be built in Airdrie; and if he will make a statement.

This project is at present expected to start in 1968 and to take about four years to complete.

Will the plans be completed by 1968? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that planning is being held up because the planners are tackling this onerous task only in their spare time? In view of the fact that general hospitals in this part of the country are already a century out of date, is it not about time that the hon. Gentleman expedited the starting of this new building?

My information is that the start is not being held up because of planning delays. The starting date of this scheme could not be brought forward without disturbing an order of priority which was settled after full consideration of hospital needs.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us who was consulted and by what process of consultation the order of priority putting Motherwell after Airdrie was decided?

There was certainly correspondence with the chairmen of the regional hospital boards, who were well aware of what was intended.