§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS trusts are required to have qualified and nominated officers with financial responsibility corresponding to those in the Local Government Acts 1975 and 1988.
§ Mr. DorrellParagraph 6.2b of schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990534W clearly states that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has the power to control the qualifications of persons who may be employed as officers of the trust if he thinks it necessary.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibilities non-executive directors of NHS trusts are required to exercise for audit and financial scrutiny.
§ Mr. DorrellAn NHS trust's accounts are the corporate responsibility of the trust's board. All board members, including the non-executives, are expected to take general responsibility for every aspect of the trust's business and operation. While it is not a statutory responsibility many of the non-executive directors have financial and commercial backgrounds of particular relevance and are able to make an effective contribution to financial management.