At Treasury questions in the House of Commons today, James Wild MP for North West Norfolk once again called for a decision to include QEH as part of the government’s new hospitals programme.
He welcomed the protection of the new hospitals budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and expressed the huge frustration people in North West Norfolk feel at the delay in an announcement that the “RAAC ravaged QEH” in King’s Lynn will be part of the programme. He urged that a decision is announced as soon as possible.
In response, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury expressed regret that the decision has not been announced yet and confirmed that funding had been agreed with the Department of Health and Social Care. He said that it was a matter for the Health Secretary to make the decisions which he hoped would be imminently.
James’ question was the latest part of his three years of campaigning that includes meetings with the Health Secretary, Chancellor, and others in recent weeks.
Notes to Editors
Text of exchange in the House of Commons:
James Wild (North West Norfolk)
“Given that the Chancellor has protected the new hospitals budget, may I express the huge frustration of my constituents at delays in the announcement that the RAAC-ravaged—reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete-ravaged—Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn will be part of the programme and urge that decisions are announced as soon as possible?”
John Glen, Chief Secretary to the Treasury
“Given that I answered this question five weeks ago, I admire my hon. Friend’s consistency. I very much regret that we have not been able to make that decision yet. As I think I said last time, it is a matter for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and conversations have developed. We have made a commitment on the quantum of money, and I will leave it for my colleague to make that announcement imminently.”
