asked the Minister of Health on what date he received a letter from the Aldershot Borough Council in relation to the provision of a new general hospital; when he expects to be in a position to reply; and whether he will be able to give a date for the commencement of the building of this hospital.

On 31st May, and a reply was sent on 7th June. I cannot yet say when this scheme can start.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that this hospital is to be built with a view to covering not only Aldershot but districts quite a considerable distance away in the surrounding neighbourhood?

Yes. I share my hon. Friend's disappointment at not being able to include it in my list of central schemes which could be started by 1964–65. I must now look at schemes for later years in the context of the ten-year plan.