§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the basis of the figure given as the ordinating capital debt for each national health service trust listed in SI 1955/407; if she will list each relevant component; and what method was used to ensure a common means of assessment of each. [30032]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe originating capital debt of a national health service trust represents the excess of the value of the assets over the sum of the liabilities transferred to it on establishment. The relevant components of the originating capital debt and the method used to ensure a common means of assessment of each are as follows:
Asset/liability Means of valuation Land District valuer Buildings District valuer Assets under construction District valuer Equipment Taken from asset registers Debtors As stated in the transferring authority's accounts Creditors As stated in the transferring authority's accounts Stocks As stated in the transferring authority's accounts Cash imprests As stated in the transferring authority's accounts The Valuation Office Agency is appointed by the NHS Executive to act as an independent valuer and uses a standard method of valuation for land and building assets. The value of equipment is taken from an asset register which every health authority and NHS trust must maintain and which is subject to independent audit. The calculation of the current value of equipment in these asset registers is standardised throughout the NHS. Debtors, creditors, stocks and cash imprests are stated in accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice.
482WIn all instances, the values transferring to the trust are agreed and certified by both the transferring authority and the trust and are subject to external audit.