asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects the new Eastbourne District General Hospital to be in operation; from what date the central heating at the empty hospital has been turned on; and what is her estimate of the cost to public funds of heating the hospital before in- and out-patients receive treatment there.

The Eastbourne District General Hospital will start receiving patients on the following approximate dates:

• Out-patients—May 1976
• In-patients—June 1976
• Accident and emergency—August 1976

The laundry became operational on January 1975, part of the central sterile supply department in November 1975, and some of the residences are also occupied. The central heating is being used for these premises and the hospital authority has tested the central heating of other parts of the hospital as and when they have been handed over by the contractor.It is not possible to separate the cost of fuel used for central heating and for operating the laundry and the CSSD, but the estimated total cost for fuel for the period January 1975 to May 1976 is £128,177.