§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the projected level of overspend for 1999–2000 by each of the health trusts in Northern Ireland and by each of the four area boards; and whether this overspend is higher than the average based on population in England and Wales. [HL2162]
§ Baroness Farrington of RibbletonThe financial position of the Northern Ireland trusts and the boards is regularly monitored by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, but the information supplied is used for the purposes of internal discussion and advice only. While the most up-to-date information provides a best estimate of the year-end financial position, in some cases the forecasts do not reflect additional income allocated to boards in recent months. The true picture of the year-end position of the trusts and boards will be shown in the audited final accounts, which fully reflect additional allocations received and are produced some months after the year end. A comparison of projected overspends within Northern Ireland with those in England and Wales would therefore not be meaningful at this stage. A detailed knowledge of the assumptions underpinning the projections of all trusts and boards in Northern Ireland, England and Wales would be necessary before any reasonable conclusions could be drawn.