§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for the sale of any building and land within the area of the East London and City health authority found surplus to requirements; what public body has the duty of monitoring or auditing such sales; to what accounts and for what purposes the proceeds of any sale are devoted; and which authorities makes decisions related to the proceeds of such sales. [23612]
§ Mr. SackvilleProperty which has not been transferred to a national health service trust is retained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. That property will be managed by the local regional health authority, which in this instance is the North Thames regional health authority. The regional health authority will dispose of the property. The proceeds will show in its accounts, and it will decide how those proceeds will 'be used within its capital development programme. Those sale proceeds will be reinvested in the provision of health care.
Land and property transactions in the NHS are subject to policy, procedures and guidance issued by the NHS executive as part of Estatecode.
The accounts of health authorities and NHS trusts are subject to annual examination by auditors appointed by the Audit Commission.