§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the amount of money he expects to receive from the National Health Service trust funds to pay for administrative costs during 1985–86.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 21 February 1985, c. 588.]: No estimate can be made of the sums involved because these costs have not been consistently identified or recovered to date. This lack of information should be rectified in the future following the issue of a recent health circular, HC(85)6, which requires health authorities to identify and charge to the trust funds
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 Number issued† 3,010 3,723 4,130 4,982 5,322 Total cost of purchases* (£ million) 0.48 0.87 1.15 0.57 0.73 Total cost of maintenance* (£ million) 0.75 1.24 1.32 1.91 2.25 Average cost of maintenance per wheelchair on issue* (£) 94.70 167.60 168.70 223.40 237.50 The following table summarises the information requested on electric outdoor attendant controlled wheelchairs:
78Wany expenses incurred in administering the trusts. This common practice is sanctioned by section 30(2) of the Trustee Act 1925. The costs so charged will be reimbursed to the health authority.