I was also struck by the urgent need for modern, comfortable facilities

Malcolm Chisholm Health Minister

In November, Mr Chisholm asked that proposals for the project be "fast-tracked" to him for approval.

The new centre will provide 40 additional beds and 11 diagnostic kits used for treating patients.

There will be dedicated access to MRI and CT scanners, aimed at reducing the time people have to wait for diagnostic tests.

The minister pledged that patients would have access by 2007 to what he believed will be one of the finest cancer treatment centres in Europe.

Staff praised

He went on: "When I visited the Beatson in December, I was struck by the professionalism, commitment and dedication of the staff there.

"But I was also struck by the urgent need for modern, comfortable facilities.

"We now have a plan to complete the move from the cramped and overcrowded Beatson to a new state-of-the-art cancer centre to serve the needs of the whole of the west of Scotland.

The full cost of the building project would be met from public funds, he added.

The Beatson, which covers 60% of the Scottish population, deals with about 20,000 return patients and 8,000 new patients every year.