§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will now take to recover irregular payments in the cases detailed by the inquiry into the former Yorkshire regional health authority. [22737]
§ Mr. MaloneThe successor authority is taking appropriate recovery action in the light of legal advice.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the advice which he has given to the Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority about ensuring that the authority receives a fair share of any development gain in the sale of the former Yorkshire regional health authority headquarters at Harrogate; and if he will make a statement. [23608]
§ Mr. MaloneThe sale of the headquarters of the former Yorkshire regional health authority was an integral part of the process of securing more appropriate and cost-effective accommodation for the NHS executive Northern and Yorkshire regional office. This will result in significant savings for reinvestment in patient care in the region.
The offer to purchase the former headquarters building was made at a fixed price, in excess of the district valuer's valuation of the property. While there is no prospect of increasing receipts beyond this point, any alternative arrangements would have incorporated a lower guaranteed minimum sale price, and hence a risk of realising less than the present arrangement. Expert advice, based on the office market in Harrogate and the property itself, has confirmed that the authority obtained best value for money at lower risk through the fixed price arrangement.