§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he had with(a) health authorities and (b) health trusts in Wales, during April, prior to making his decision on the comprehensive spending review settlement for the health service in Wales, (i) in general and (ii) on the impact on capital projects in their areas of the decision not to make resources available for capital developments in 1999–2000. [87992]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesNone. On 1 April, my right hon. Friend met health authority and NHS Trust representatives to discuss the financial position of the NHS, his spending decisions, and the fact that resources which might have been spent on new capital developments had been used to increase health authority revenue allocations.
Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the indicative figure used by his Department for capital expenditure within the National Health Service in Wales for 1999–2000 as at 1 April; and what is the figure under his comprehensive spending review. [87993]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesMy right hon. Friend's announcement on NHS spending on 30 March included capital provision in 1999–2000 of some £83 million—£48 million for Trust discretionary expenditure and £35 million for ongoing major schemes. This represented a £10 million uplift over 1998–99 provision. On 18 May, my right hon. Friend also announced an additional £21 million over the next three years for the NHS from146W the capital modernisation fund. Prior to 30 March, additional capital expenditure of up to £24 million on new schemes in 1999–2000 was under consideration, but no decision had been taken on allocating this to particular schemes.
Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those health sector capital schemes which had originally been intended to be commenced during the current financial year in Wales but which following the comprehensive spending review settlement made in April have not received capital allocation for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [87997]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesThe Department considered proposals for public capital funding during August 1998 and provisionally approved 9 schemes for consideration for future capital funding
Development of medium secure unit facilities at the Caswell Clinic, Bridgend;Redevelopment of Mynydd Mawr Hospital, Llanelli;Reprovision of mental health services for the Rhondda;Development of a new community hospital to service North Merionydd/East Dwyfor;Prince Charles Hospital, asbestos and fire precaution measures;Bronglais General Hospital, repairs to external cladding;Reprovision of Conwy Hospital;Reprovision of residential services for learning disabilities—Gwent;Remedial works to Iechyd Morgannwg Health Headquarters.The proposals for Mynydd Mawr were subsequently withdrawn. The proposed scheme at Prince Charles Hospital is currently undergoing further review.
My right hon. Friend's NHS spending decisions did not allocate funding to these schemes in 1999–2000.
Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly.