HL Deb 23 May 1990 vol 519 cc1012-3WA
Lord Ennals

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will clarify whether the "application document" referrred to (H.L. Deb. col. 678 26th April) which is to be the basis for consultation is the full business plan prepared by a hospital intending to become a self-governing trust or a summarised version; and

Who will be entitled to see the full business plan of a hospital intending to become a self governing trust and who will be of fered a summarised version.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper)

Consultation will be based on the application document prepared by the potential trust which will cover a wide range of issues, including summary financial information. Fuller information is contained in the guidance sent to RGMs in August 1989 under cover of EL 89 (MB) 148, a copy of which is in the Library. Trusts will also submit more detailed financial statements to the department in support of their applications. These will not form part of the application document nor be subject to consultation, but will enable the Secretary of State to make a more detailed assessment of the financial viability of the trust and of the external finance limit required for the trust's first year of operation.