§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases the regional executive for the North and Yorkshire has agreed that hospital trust budgets for 1996–97 can plan outturn deficits; and for which trusts deficit budgets have been agreed. [37019]
§ Mr. HoramThis information is based on estimates subject to revision. It is not therefore suitable for publication.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what policy guidance he has given to hospital trusts about the planned setting of deficit budgets in the present financial year. [37020]
§ Mr. HoramTrusts' annual plans are based on contracts negotiated with local purchasers. The primary financial duty of national health service trusts is to break even on an income and expenditure basis, taking one year with another. This is a statutory obligation and is set out in the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. We have not issued any further policy guidance on this matter.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital trusts had deficits in 1995–96; and what the size of the deficit was in each case. [37021]
§ Mr. HoramFinancial information for all trusts is placed in the Library when audit has been completed. The latest year for which audited records are available is currently 1994–95. The audited information for 1995–96 will not be available until later this year and as before will be placed in the Library as soon as practicable.
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