HC Deb 20 May 1993 vol 225 cc259-60W
Mr. Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current level of administration costs for(a) regional health authorities, (b) district health authorities and (c) trusts in England.

Mr. Sackville

[holding answer 5 May 1993]The latest available (1991–92) annual accounts of regional and district health authorities in England record expenditure on headquarters administration totalling £312 million and £327 million respectively.

These figures cover the total revenue expenditure on the pay and accommodation costs of staff of all disciplines and their support staff employed at headquarters levels together with the costs of the purchaser function. They exclude administrative support in hospital departments and at other local levels which is regarded as operational expenditure.

The annual accounts and financial returns of national health service trusts do not separately identify administration costs of a non-operational nature.