HC Deb 17 December 1996 vol 287 cc554-5W
Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the building cost location factors for general medical practitioners in Northern Ireland; [9684]

(2) for what reasons the building cost location factor for general medical practitioners in Northern Ireland is lower than the factors for England and Wales; [9685]

(3) when the last review was undertaken of building cost location factors for general medical practitioners in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the United Kingdom; [9686]

(4) what plans he has to bring the building cost location factor for general medical practitioners in Northern Ireland into line with that for England and Wales. [9687]

Mr. Moss

Responsibility for the subjects in this question has been delegated to the Health Estates under its chief executive, Mr. R. H. Browne. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from R. H. Browne to Dr. Joe Hendron, dated 17 December 1996: I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the building cost location factor for Northern Ireland.

PQ2066 The building cost location factor for Northern Ireland is currently 0.75.

PQ2067 The building cost location factor for Northern Ireland is lower than the factors for England and Wales because the cost of construction, as measured by the Building Cost Information Service provided by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, is lower in Northern Ireland than in England or Wales.

PQ2068 The location factors for General Medical Practitioners in Northern Ireland and Great Britain were reviewed for 1996–97, applicable from 1st April 1996. These location factors were produced by the BCIS and were current at that time.

PQ2069 The principles of the GP Cost Rent Schemes and the source of the location factors are the same throughout the United Kingdom. By definition the location factors will vary according to local current building costs. It is hoped that the above information fully explains the situation but should you require any further details I will be happy to provide them.