Gerry Marr, chief executive of Tayside University Hospitals, was speaking in the wake of claims that Perthshire was enjoying a mini boom in births.

His own organisation issued figures today showing that over 100 more babies were born in Tayside last year than in the previous year. Those figures show a drop in births at PRI from 1126 to 1098. At Ninewells births rose over the corresponding years from 2884 to 2964. Relatively small numbers of babies were born at Montrose and Arbroath.

Mr Marr admitted future projections showed falling birth rates, but the “relevant drop” in births in Dundee would be “greater than in Perth & Kinross”.

“We know what the projected figures are, but we have looked at it on a Tayside-wide basis and our proposals are for Tayside-wide services,” said Mr Marr.

The prospect of withdrawal of consultant-led maternity services at PRI prompted a strong campaign from mothers wishing to maintain the status quo.

Asked if the plan would go ahead now, whatever they say, he answered “Yes, basically.”

Plans agreed earlier this year proposed all but the lowest-risk births be transferred from PRI to Ninewells from July, with low-risk births taking place in a community midwife unit at PRI.

“We believe we can do it for July,” said Mr Marr.

“I checked this out last week with the clinicians.

“The absolute preference of the clinicians is not to stop and start but maintain continuity.

“We have now had various public events and we are assessing the community’s commitment to a CMU.

“The feedback I get is that if consultant services were to be lost in Perth, there is a strong public desire to establish a CMU.”

Asked if training would be complete and the CMU facilities ready for occupation in July, Mr Marr said, “That is the advice.

“If the timetable were to slip we would still say transfer all consultant services (to Ninewells) and establish the CMU at one and the same time.”