HC Deb 06 June 1990 vol 173 cc629-30W
Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis he will set the annual financing limit for each national health service hospital trust.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will set the external financing limit for each trust annually in the light of the trust's business plan and available resources.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the target number of national health service trusts to be developed for ministerial approval set by the national health service management executive in its 1990–91 operational programme.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The NHS management executive has indicated that it aims to develop for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State's approval approximately 50 NHS trusts. There is no firm target and some 80 Health Service units currently intend to prepare applications for NHS trust status in April 1991, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the financial proformas to be submitted by national health service trust status applicants.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

No. The supporting financial statements to be submitted by applicants for NHS trust status will include detailed information on their financial plans which it would not be appropriate to make publicly available.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those potential first-wave trusts identified by the Department's analysis of regions short-term programmes as having problems eliminating underlying deficits in 1990–91.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

No. The NHS management executive is engaged in continuing discussions with regional health authorities. Such information is not yet available.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to employ outside consultants to evaluate national health service trust applications.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Outside consultants will assist the Department in the analysis of financial management and information systems in potential NHS trusts as part of the assessment of trust applications when the necessary legislation has been passed.