§ 41. Mr. David Rentonasked the Minister of Health what were the total liabilities of the voluntary hospitals other than teaching hospitals; what was the total amount of cash in hand and standing to their credit at the banks; what was the approximate total value of their tangible assets, including land, buildings, stores and equipment on 5th July, 1948; and what was the total value of the Hospital Endowments Fund at the vesting date.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. RentonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Question asks for only four totals and that the Question was put down to him in answer to a challenge which he made to me in the course of a recent Debate? He should not issue such challenges if he intends to answer them in this way.
§ Following is the reply:
§ The total liabilities of transferred voluntary hospitals are estimated at £14,400,000, of which £4,700,000 relates to teaching hospitals. Cash in hand and at the banks of the non-teaching voluntary hospitals was approximately £2,500,000: in the case of the teaching hospitals cash and bank credits passed directly to the new Boards of Governors as part of their endowments and figures are not at present available. The tangible assets of transferred hospitals have not been valued nor do I consider the labour involved in carrying out a valuation would be justified. It is not yet possible to make a complete estimate of the value of the assets of the Hospital Endowments Fund but it will not be less than £18 million net.
§ 42. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Health what grants in aid were paid to the voluntary hospitals other than teaching hospitals between the passing of the National Health Service Act and 5th July 1948.
§ Mr. BevanDuring the period in question grants totalling £15,016,144 were made to 224 hospitals, of which £6,832,298 related to teaching hospitals.