§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications for trust status have been made to the South East Thames regional health authority; how many have been approved; how many rejected; and what evaluation has been made of the performance of the trusts which have been approved against the prospectuses issued at the time of their applications.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information requested is shown in the table. The business planning process and financial performance of national health service trusts are monitored by the NHS management executive outposts. The main accountability tools for this purpose are a business plan, a strategic direction, annual accounts and an annual report.