§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been raised through the auction of(a) empty and (b) surplus NHS property since the publication of the NHS National Plan. [47822]
§ Mr. HuttonThe "one-off auction of empty and surplus NHS property" referred to in the NHS Plan is currently proceeding as a Public Private Partnership disposal of the majority of the Department's retained estate which was left following establishment of National Health Service Trusts and the transfer of property to them.
This disposal has been advertised through the Official Journal of the European Community process, and an "Invitation to Negotiate" has been issued to four prospective partners.
In the meantime, since publication of the NHS Plan, disposals of empty and surplus property have realised some £280 million.