HC Deb 07 March 1996 vol 273 cc318-9W
Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he issues to general practitioner fundholders on the appropriate use of savings. [17936]

Mr. Malone

Guidance on the use of fundholder savings is set out in HSG(95)46, copies of which are available in the Library.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were, in each of the last five years(a) the total losses of fundholders, (b) the total savings and (c) the total net savings. [17935]

Mr. Malone

Information about fundholder efficiency savings and budget overspends is shown in the table. Figures for 1994–95 are not yet available.

Efficiency savings: Budget overspends:
Year £ million Per cent. of budgets set £ million Per cent. of budgets set
1991–92 15 3.7 2 0.6
1992–93 28 3.5 10 1.2
1993–94 64 3.5 13 0.7

Source: Regional offices.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made in each year of the net worth of general practitioners fundholders' assets. [19499]

Mr. Malone

None. All general practitioners, whether fundholding or not, are independent contractors to the national health service. Information is not therefore available about their assets.