§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to work towards the signing of the contract for the new Worcester district general hospital before the dissolution of Parliament. [21186]
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§ Mr. HoramAll national health service trusts with private finance initiative schemes, such as for the new Worcester district general hospital, should continue to prepare their full business cases and will be fully supported in this by officials at the NHS executive and Her Majesty's Treasury. However, following the announcement of the general election Ministers and officials can no longer take decisions with financial implications for a future Administration. This means that Ministers will not be able to approve the full business case for the PFI scheme for the new Worcester district general hospital if it is submitted for approval before the general election.