§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts coming into operation on 1 April will have a turnover(a) in excess of £50 million, (b) between £20 to £50 million and (c) less than £20 million.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe financial plans of the fourth wave of national health service trusts are currently being discussed with purchasing health authorities and the outposts of the National Health Service Management Executive and will be finalised during April. We expect that the information will be available shortly after that.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health with whom Touche Ross had a contract to advise on the financial performance of fourth-wave trust hospitals in the west midlands; and how much the contract was worth.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe contract to advise on the financial viability of fourth-wave trust applicants was between Touche Ross and the National Health Service Management Executive of the Department of Health. It is inappropriate to disclose the value of the contract on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.