HC Deb 11 February 1994 vol 237 cc521-2W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if chairmen and directors of trusts are required to declare an interest when any relevant business is being considered and withdrawn from further consideration of such business.

Mr. Stewart

Yes.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to ascertain whether all trust executive and non-executive directors have been provided with the training necessary for them to have an adequate appreciation of the control mechanisms and rebating arrangements for financial matters.

Mr. Stewart

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 28 January 1994,Official Report, column 461.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to non-executive directors of trusts on their powers to act independently where they are in disagreement with chairmen and executive directors.

Mr. Stewart

Each trust board is required to have an audit committee, the composition of which includes non-executive directors but not the chairman or executive directors, and with a prescribed remit.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if all board members of NHS trusts have been required to declare any interest that may be relevant before he appoints them; and if such interests are made known to the other members of the board to which they were appointed.

Mr. Stewart

Such information is not currently sought from trust board members prior to their appointment but the position is under review. Any trust director who has an interest in a contract or other matter at a trust board meeting is required by regulations to disclose that interest and not to take part in consideration or discussion of it.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to NHS trusts on the exercise of financial control.

Mr. Stewart

In addition to the training provision for their directors referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on 28 January 1994,Official Report, column 461, NHS trusts in Scotland are issued with a financial manual "NHS Trusts: Guidance for Financial Managers" which includes guidance on financial controls.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each non-executive member he has appointed to the board of an NHS trust(a) directorships, including non-executive directorships, held in private companies or plcs, (b) ownership or part ownership of private companies, businesses or consultancies likely or possibly seeking to do business with the NHS, (c) majority or controlling shareholdings in a charity or voluntary body in the field of health care, social services or housing and (d) any material connection with a voluntary or other body contracting for services with NHS organisations.

Mr. Stewart

Such information is not held centrally.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has provided for chairmen of trusts on retaining the independence of their chief executives.

Mr. Stewart

No specific guidance has been issued but the roles and relationships of chairmen and chief executives are covered in the induction courses arranged centrally for new trust chairmen and in support provided locally by the management development group.

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