§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the regulator of National Health Service foundation trusts has made a prudential borrowing code under Section 12 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003; and, if so, when that was laid before Parliament pursuant to Section 12(4) of that Act. [HL2337]
§ Lord WarnerWe are informed by the chairman of the independent regulator that the draft prudential borrowing code has not yet been issued for consultation by the independent regulator. It is expected to be issued for consultation shortly and will be subject to a 12-week consultation period. Following the consultation, the regulator will consider the responses, amend the code as required, make the final code and lay a copy before Parliament.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what basis National Health Service foundation trusts operating from 1 April 2004 may borrow money. [HL2338]
§ Lord WarnerThe independent regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts has authorised 10 NHS foundation trusts from 1 April 2004. Pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 an NHS foundation trust may borrow money in connection with its functions. This is subject to the limit imposed by its terms of authorisation.
These 10 trusts have been granted interim borrowing limits for 2004–05 determined by reference to the regulator's assessment of a prudential borrowing limit taking into account generally accepted principles used by financial institutions to determine the amounts of loans to non-profit making bodies. The figure reflects each NHS foundation trust's assessment of its likely borrowing requirements for the year 2004–05.
11WAThe borrowing limits for the first trusts will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised once the prudential borrowing code has been made, and annually thereafter.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the authorised borrowing limit under Section 17(2) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 for each of the National Health Service foundation trusts created from 1 April 2004. [HL2339]
§ Lord WarnerThe independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts has set interim borrowing limits for new borrowing by the first 10 NHS foundation trusts as follows:
NHS Foundation Trust 2004–05 borrowing capacity (£million) Basildon and Thurrock 3.4 Bradford 3.3 Countess of Chester 5.8 Doncaster and Bassetlaw 4.0 Homerton 6.3 Moorfields 5.6 Peterborough and Stamford 3.5 Royal Devon and Exeter 17.1 Stockport 11.0 The Royal Marsden 10.0 The figures above do not include existing borrowing (as at 1 April 2004), short-term working capital and potential increases in revaluation reserve.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish the authorisations issued by the foundation trusts regulator under Section 6 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 in respect of those National Health Service foundation trusts operating from 1 April 2004. [HL2340]
§ Lord WarnerThe terms of authorisation issued by the regulator to the first 10 NHS foundation trusts will be published on the regulator's website(www.nhsft-regulator.gov.uk) shortly and copies have been placed in the Library.