HC Deb 13 March 1997 vol 292 c300W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 10 March,Official Report, column 38, to the hon. Member for Clwyd, North-West (Mr. Richards) on NHS trusts mergers, what estimate he has made of (a) the transitional costs of achieving the trust merger, (b) recurring administrative savings and (c) the time which it will take to reach the recurring administrative costs. [20084]

Mr. Hague

It is estimated by the trusts that the merger will result in recurring savings of up to £1 million starting in 1998–99. The level of transitional costs will depend upon the trust board's decisions on management arrangements in the new organisation.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 10 March,Official Report, column 38, to the hon. Member for Clwyd, North-West on NHS trust mergers, when he expects to appoint the (a) chairman and (b) board members of the newly merged trust. [20083]

Mr. Hague

Interim arrangements will be announced shortly which will enable the appointments to be made in line with the code of practice for public appointments issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 10 March,Official Report, column 38, to the hon. Member for Clwyd, North-West on NHS trust mergers, what estimate he has made of the job losses associated with the merger (a) before 1 April 1997 and (b) after 1 April 1997; and what estimate he has made of the winding-up costs in connection with the termination of services of board members. [20085]

Mr. Hague

There will be no job losses associated with the merger of the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS trusts before the new trust becomes operational on 1 April 1997. The detail of any job losses and costs incurred after that date will be a matter for the new trust board.