§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the(a)estimated and (b)actual value of NHS property sales in each of the last five years; [41705]
(2) how many NHS properties are (a)for sale and (b)scheduled to be sold; and what their estimated sale value is on the open market; [41704]
(3) how many NHS properties are empty. [41702]
464W
§ Ms BlearsThe planned and actual receipts from sale of property from when the spending review process started is as follows.
£ million Year Planned Actual 1997–98 289 471 1998–99 272 500 1999–2000 337 549 2000–01 363 647 Note:
Figures shown for Hospital and Community Health Services capital receipts.
The main reason for the disparity between planned and actual sales is due to transfers between NHS trusts or to NHS trusts from the Secretary of State for Health's ownership being recorded as a sale.
Details of how many properties are for sale or scheduled for sale is not held centrally. The planned receipts from sales of property is:
Planned (£ million) 2001–02 351 2002–03 470 2003–04 270 Note:
Figures shown for Hospital and Community Health Services planned capital receipts.
The Department does not hold information about the numbers of properties that are vacant at any one time. There are a variety of reasons why property might be vacant, including awaiting refurbishment/development for health care purposes, or awaiting sale. The NHS seeks to make the optimum use of the estate, and to keep the number of empty properties to a minimum.