§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated cost to the national health service of officials attending conferences; and what guidelines she proposes to issue.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chairs, chief executives and non-executive directors of NHS trusts and health authorities attended the recent NAHAT conference; who paid their fees; and what was the overall cost to public funds.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe information requested is not available centrally. We have no plans to issue central guidance. It is for individual health authorities and NHS trusts to decide what priority they attach to attendance at conferences. In doing so, however, we expect them to have proper regard to value for money and the potential benefits to the NHS and its staff, compared with other kinds of developmental training.