HC Deb 22 May 1992 vol 208 c304W
Ms Coffey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for ensuring that any future trust in Stockport will charge affordable prices for its health services.

Dr. Mawhinney

All NHS trusts depend for their income on their ability to secure contracts with local purchasers. They need to be able to compete in terms of cost and quality with other local NHS provider units. In addition, trusts are expected to set their prices for NHS contracts using principles common to the NHS as a whole. They are not allowed to cross-subsidise services or to build in profit margins.