§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the grants or other financial help being given by his Department direct to each hospital in Wales in the present financial year(a) to improve patient care and (b) for any purposes other than for preparing an application for trust status;
(2) if he will list the grant figure being given by his Department to each hospital in Wales which is choosing to remain as a unit managed directly by the local health authority.
§ Mr. Nicholas Bennett[holding answer 17 October 1991]: My right hon. Friend has no powers to make allocations direct to particular hospitals.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the figure given or offered by his Department to each hospital in Wales towards the costs of drawing up an application for trust status.
§ Mr. Nicholas Bennett[pursuant to his reply, 17 October 1991, c. 208]: Self-governing trusts are the way forward for the provision of services in the NHS in Wales. Decisions to apply for trust status are for units to take in the light of their local circumstances but health authorities have an important enabling role to play. I shall be looking for confirmation that their boards and managements are co-operating fully in their units' aspirations and assisting the application process.