§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure has been incurred by the Ayrshire and Arran community health trust in its campaign to have the proposed south east Ayrshire community hospital sited in Cumnock; under what powers they have incurred such expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [29668]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe current review of community services in south-east Ayrshire is being carried out by Ayrshire and Arran health board to ensure that the best quality services are readily available for patients. The Ayrshire and Arran community healthcare trust has incurred £3,996 towards the preparation of a business case for a new community hospital at Cumnock. Under paragraph 16, schedule 7A to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, an NHS trust has the power to take any action which appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of, or in connection with, the discharge of its functions.