§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 504, what was the nature of the work carried out by Drivers Jonas in respect of Orsett hospital. [8979]
§ Mr. MilburnInformation about the exact nature of the work carried out by the chartered surveyors Drivers Jonas in respect of Orsett hospital is not held centrally. However, the recent executive letter EL(97)35 "Making Available Information about PFI Projects" gave notice and guidance to trust and health and authority chief executives on requests for information on their private finance initiative schemes.
Provided the information is not commercially sensitive and its release is consistent with the EL, the information should be obtainable from the chief executive of the trust. Copies of the EL (97)35 have been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 505, from whom the remuneration committee of the Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS trust board receives advice as to the appropriate pay, conditions and bonuses to be paid to its directors. [8980]
§ Mr. MilburnGuidance on the role of the remuneration committee was issued to trust chief executives in national health service executive letter EL(94)40 on the codes of conduct and accountability. The NHS executive has also issued guidance (TEL(94)2 and TEL(95)1) to all NHS trusts on the principles and procedures to apply when considering severance payments to general and senior managers on short-term rolling contracts. Copies of all the guidance have been414W placed in the Library. Subject to these provisions, it is a matter for the remuneration committee to decide who it should take advice from.