§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) to what extent problems over cervical screening arrangements in the NHS contributed to the retirement of Mr. Edward Pearson as Chief Executive of the Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust; [42290]
(2) if Mr. Edward Pearson, Chief Executive of Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust, has been questioned by his Department on his role in problems that arose in the area of cervical screening in Kent; [42291]
(3) if Mr. Edward Pearson, former Chief Executive of the Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust, received a full pension entitlement on his retirement in June 1997. [42292]
§ Mr. MilburnSir William Wells, Chair of the National Health Service Executive South Thames Regional Office, led an independent review on cervical screening at Kent and Canterbury Hospitals NHS Trust which was published in October 1997. Mr. Edward Pearson was interviewed as part of this review.
On 7 July 1997, Mr. Pearson took early retirement because, as Chief Executive, he felt personally accountable for what happened at the hospital. Mr. Pearson received a pension in accordance with the regulations set out in the NHS superannuation scheme.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if Mr. James Bird, former chairman of the Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust, received any consideration on his retirement as chairman. [42293]
§ Mr. MilburnMr. Bird was entitled to receive appropriate remuneration as trust chairman up to and including his last day in office. He did not receive, nor was he entitled to receive, any additional consideration on standing down.