§ 4. Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has for improving the value for money achieved by Welsh NHS trusts. [5211]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe question of appropriate value for money will never be ignored by this Government.
§ Mr. FlynnWhat were the Government doing during the long series of calamities involving the South and East Wales Ambulance NHS trust—calamities of waste, mismanagement and financial chaos? The term "Dunkirk spirit" was given a new meaning by the organisation of a trip to Dunkirk to buy cheap alcohol on a day when all the shops were shut in France. Why have the culprits who have been sacked—including some indians, and some chiefs in the shape of executive directors—not included 657 the non-executive directors, who were appointed for their financial genius and business acumen and who are still in place? Are not they the people who should be blamed?
§ Mr. JonesI know that the hon. Gentleman likes to display his green credentials by recycling old news, but he is fearfully out of date. We acted a year ago; we required changes to be made. The chairman and chief executive have gone, the trust has been turned around, and I understand that it is now performing better than expected in its recovery plan.