§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will issue guidance to NHS trust hospitals on the practice of publicity advertising the private use of such hospitals on behalf of commercial organisations.
§ Mr. SackvilleNo.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been issued on the role and objectives of trust non-executive directors;
(2) what training non-executive directors receive on corporate governance on joining trust boards.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNon-executive directors of national health service trusts are appointed by regional health authority chairmen and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. They are provided, on appointment, with guidance produced by the NHS Management Executive on their role and functions. It is for individual trust chairmen to ensure that non-executive directors receive any necessary induction and training. The corporate governance task force is expected to make recommendations before the end of the 697W year to the chief executive of the Management Executive on the role and functions and induction-continuing development of chairmen and non-executive directors. Copies of the guidance will be placed in the Library.