asked the Minister for Health the amount paid out of the Hospitals Trust Fund towards the building and repair of hospitals in the latest twelve months for which figures are conveniently available; and if he will give similar particulars for the year immediately preceding it.

It is expected that in the current financial year, ending on 31st March, 1965, the amount authorised for payment from the Hospitals Trust Fund towards the cost of building and repair of hospitals, including the provision of major equipment, etc. will be £1,300,000. The amount so authorised up to the end of February, 1965 was £1,179,000.

The corresponding figure for the year 1963/64 was £694,055.

Grant payments in future years in respect of works in progress, the remaining works in the current approved programme, a number of which are at tender stage and many in the final stages of planning, and minor contingency schemes are expected to be as follows:—1965/66, £1,700,000; 1966/67, £2,200,000; and 1967/68, £2,400,000.

I should perhaps emphasise that the incidence of grant payments in any year is not indicative of the volume of work in progress. At the present time, for instance, works actually in progress which are assisted by grants from the Fund are estimated to cost £6.4 millions of which about £5.4 millions will be borne by the Fund. These figures do not include figures in respect of County Homes Schemes which are assisted by Exchequer subventions and do not attract grant from the Hospitals Trust Fund.