§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on the use of leasing as a form of capital finance within the National Health Service.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe National Health Service may employ leasing as a means of acquiring capital assets, but it should be used only where it represents best overall value for money to the Exchequer as a whole. Where leasing of capital assets is proposed the full costs of the leasing option must be shown to be lower than outright purchase, and the Department's and, in most cases, Treasury's approval is required. Leasing is not regarded as a form of additional capital finance for the National Health Service.