§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to secure greater transparency in the affairs of non-elected bodies whose membership in whole in part is appointed by her or which exercise functions previously carried out by local authorities.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Government's White Paper "Open Government" set out proposals for introducing greater public access to information held by Government local authorities and the national health service. From 1 April 1994 the Department of Health, including the NHS Management Executive and departmental agencies, will act upon the principles of the Government's code of practice. In addition, the Management Executive, in partnership with the NHS, is developing a code of practice for the NHS in response to the White Paper. This will be in place by the end of the year.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing, in 1992–93 prices, the gross public spending for each year from 1990–91 and the projected expenditure for each of the national health service bodies (England) as listed in "Public Bodies 1993".
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 15 February 1994]: The information is shown in the table. Projected expenditure is not available centrally.
Gross expenditure of national health service bodies (England) 1990–911£ million 1991–921£ million 1992–93 £ million Regional Health Authorities2 549 1,042 1,099 District Health Authorities2 15,765 14,660 11,652 Dental Practice Board3 22 1,037 904 Family Health Services Authorities4 5,967 5,762 6,379 Health Education Authority 31 32 34 Mental Health Act Commission5 2 2 2 National Blood Authority 26 47 47 NHS Trusts2 — 2,431 5,979 National Health Service Supplies Authority6 — 1.4 419 Prescription Pricing Authority7 42 39 38 Special Health Authorities of the London post graduate teaching hospitals2 325 351 371 Special Hospitals Service Authority 103 111 119 United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority — 2 3 Source:
Appropriation account figures of the Mental Health Act Commission and Special Hospitals Service Authority, annual accounts of all other NHS bodies 1990–91 to 1992–93 and annual financial returns of regional, district and special health authorities of the London postgraduate teaching hospitals (1991–92 and 1992–93).
1Figures expressed in 1992–93 prices using GDP deflators.
2Data for 1992–93 is provisional.
358W3In April 1991 the Dental Practice Board took over the main responsibility from FHSAs for making payments to dentists. Figures for 1991–92 and 1992–93 therefore include payments to dentists which were previously included in the FHSA accounts. The payments are net of dental charges collected and retained by dentists.
4These figures include payments for FHS services but are net of patient charges collected and retained by FHS contractors.
5Figures include administration support provided by Department of Health staff seconded to the Commission.
6The NHS Supplies Authority was set up in October 1991. The 1991–92 figure therefore reflects the first six months' expenditure.
7Administrative expenditure, including capital costs which vary from year to year.