§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement detailing the precise expenditure to date on the new Belfast city hospital tower block, the budget allocation on an annual basis and the shortfall between the Department of Health and Social Services' allocation and the expenditure incurred by the Eastern health and social services board.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department of Health and Social Services is directly responsible for the administration and capital funding of major works projects and a budget allocation is not therefore made to Health and Social Services Boards for this purpose. The capital expenditure incurred by the Department to date on the new Belfast city hospital tower block amounts to £54,797,449 including professional fees and expenses. In addition £2,195,521 has been spent on capital equipment for the new hospital.
From 29 February 1984 when the Belfast city hospital tower block was taken over from the contractors, the Eastern health and social services board assumed responsibility for meeting the running costs of the new building which at 30 September 1984 amounted to £632,494. Under present funding arrangements the Eastern board is responsible for meeting these running costs from within its annual allocation of funds.