HC Deb 06 December 1994 vol 251 cc196-7W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what payment in lieu of notice or remuneration likely from potential employment was offset against the payment made to the former chief executive of Burnley Health Care NHS trust;

(2) what assessment she has made of compliance with her Department's guidance and codes of practice in the events surrounding the resignation of the chief executive of Burnley Health Care NHS trust;

(3) if details of the calculation made on the termination of the contract of the former chief executive of Burnley Health Care NHS trust followed the guidance set out in NHS circular Tel (94)3.

Mr. Malone

National health service trusts have full power under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to make payments in connection with the termination of employment of their staff. The severance payment to the former chief executive of Burnley Health Care NHS trust was made in accordance with the terms of her contract, which predated Tel (94)2, the Department's guidance on such payments, copies of which are available in the Library.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what reasons the former chief executive of Burnley Health Care NHS trust gave for her resignation;

(2) which members of the board of Burnley Health Care NHS trust were consulted by the former chairman on the settlement agreed with the former chief executive on her resignation;

(3) what consideration was given by Burnley NHS Health Care trust to the renewal of the three-year rolling employment contract of the former chief executive Mrs. Maggie Aikman.

Mr. Malone

These are matters for Burnley Health Care national health service trust.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assurances the NHS Executive has received from the former chairman of Burnley Health Care NHS trust that the payment of termination of the contract of the former chief executive was made with regard to probity and value for money, applying the guidance and principles of public accountability; and what response has been given;

(2) what letters she wrote to the former chairman of Burnley Health Care NHS trust prior to his resignation on his position as chairman; and if she will deposit such letters in the Library.

Mr. Malone

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote privately to the then chairman of Burnley Health Care national health service trust on 15 and 23 November 1994 asking him to account for his actions. The chairman did not give a substantive reply and resigned.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of the Burnley Health Care national health service trust on termination settlements.

Mr. Malone

This is a matter for the trust, which has full power under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to make payments in connection with the termination of employment of its staff.