§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the minimum term of car leasing contracts in NHS trusts and health authorities under executive car leasing schemes approved by his Department; what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Gwent health authority concerning the annual renewal of the chief executive's car leasing contract; and if he will make a statement. [37133]
§ Mr. HagueThe provision of leased cars is governed by section 24 of the NHS General Whitely Council agreement for staff employed by health authorities and NHS trusts on national terms and conditions of service. I am placing a copy of section 24 in the Library. NHS trusts can determine their own leasing arrangements for staff employed on trust terms and conditions of service and they need to be satisfied about the propriety of expenditure on them. My Department does not approve individual schemes and I have had no consultations with the chairman of Gwent health authority.