§ Lynne Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what powers funds have been allocated to the University of Birmingham Hospital Trust to consult over its proposal to become an NHS Foundation Trust. [141559]
§ Mr. Hutton:Section 2 of the National Health Service Act 1977 gives the Secretary of State powers to do anything which is calculated to facilitate the discharge of his duty to continue the promotion of a comprehensive health service. Schedule 3, Paragraph 5 A of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 gives the Secretary of State the power to make a payment to a national health service trust. The payments were made under these powers.