HC Deb 30 January 1998 vol 305 cc429-30W
Mr. Lock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what costings have been undertaken to date by(a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service of staff travel arising rom the transfer of staff as a result of the implementation of each of the options referred to in the Strategic Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority 23 October 1997; and if he will make a statement; [24851]

(2) when (a) his Department and (b) Worcestershire Health Authority expect to reach a decision on which of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document issued by the Worcestershire Health Authority dated 23 October 1997 oblige them to consult NHS staff prior to decisions being taken involving (i) redundancies and (ii) the redeployment of staff employed by the NHS in Worcestershire; [24852]

(3) what costings have been undertaken to date by (a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service redundancy payments for each of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority on 23 October 1997; and if he will make a statement; [24884]

(4) what costings have been undertaken to date by (a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service of pension payments arising from the early terminations of staff arising out of each of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority of 23 October 1997; and if he will make a statement. [24885]

Mr. Milburn

The Worcestershire Health Authority strategic framework document outlines a range of possible options, which are still the subject of discussion and revision with the trusts concerned and other interested groups, and will be the subject of a full public consultation starting at the end of February. Detailed costings and action plans for staff consultation, staff travel, possible redundancies and the effects on pensions cannot be undertaken until the public consultation concludes in the summer of 1998. Decisions will be taken either by the health authority or my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.