§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the financial impact of joint business ventures on NHS trusts. [40799]
§ Mr. SackvilleIt is a matter for individual national health service trusts whether they enter into joint business ventures. Trusts must satisfy themselves that any such venture is value for money and secures benefits for the NHS, in terms of either additional income, increased quality of service or access to private sector expertise, which would not be available to the trust operating alone.