asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to start work on the building of the new hospital in Belize, British Honduras, for which layout plans have been prepared.

Construction has been postponed owing to the need to devote available funds to urgent economic development. Extensive repairs, alterations and additions have, however, been made to the existing hospital.

Can the Under-Secretary say when it is proposed to carry out the new building, and replace the present unsatisfactory wooden building with a permanent structure?

There is no immediate possibility of any new construction, because all the available resources of the territory are already committed.