asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now able to announce financial approval for the Huntlyburn Hospital as proposed by the South East Regional Hospital Board.

My right hon. Friend has decided that the Huntlyburn Hospital should be built as a single phase project and he has authorised a start to building as quickly as planning can be completed. After a full examination of the proposal to use the plans of Dumfries District General Hospital at Huntlyburn, we have reached the conclusion that alterations to the plans for technical and functional reasons would have to be so extensive as to constitute a complete redesign of the hospital. There would, therefore, be little or no time saved in adopting them, and the new plans which will be produced will meet the specific needs of the Borders and will make the best use of the site.

That is a very encouraging announcement. Will the hon. Gentleman say when he expects a start on the actual building, and will he engage in even more crystal gazing and say when it will be finished?

The most important point is to finish the hospital. We would expect it to be completed in about six years, which will be two or three years quicker than would be the case if it were done under the old Band III and Band V of the original programme. That is the present position. This is a great step forward and I am glad that my right hon. Friend has been able to announce it today.