§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what departmental guidelines apply to the sale of Forelands hospital, Bromsgrove; what is the role of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the proceeds of the sale and the use to which they have been put.
§ Mr. SackvilleDepartmental guidelines to health authorities on the sale of surplus National Health Service property are set out in "Property Transactions in the National Health Service". Property disposals arc fully delegated to health authorities, and the Department was not involved in the sale of Forelands orthopaedic hospital.
Of the £4.2 million realised from the sale, £50,000 was returned to South Birmingham district; the remaining money was transferred to the region's operational capital programme funding to form part of the overall capital resources available to the region.