§ Annabelle Ewing:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what written representations he has received from the British Medical Association (Scotland) on the subject of foundation hospitals. [142731]
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§ Mr. Hutton:None.
§ Lynne Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact Government amendments on the governance of foundation trusts to the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 will have on the validity of the consultation currently in progress. [142984]
§ Mr. Hutton:None. Section 6(5) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 sets out that the Independent Regulator may not authorise an applicant as a national health service foundation trust unless satisfied that the applicant has sought the views of specified persons. The Department of Health guidance, issued to first wave applicants in August, is consistent with the requirements in the Act. The Secretary of State will only support applications where there is evidence that consultation has taken place in line with this guidance.