HC Deb 06 July 1998 vol 315 cc363-4W
Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each month in 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98(a) capital expenditure and (b) revenue expenditure on the NHS in Scotland. [47972]

Mr. Galbraith

As required by the rules of Government Accounting, payments to health bodies are made by way of advances from suspence accounts. Expenditure is therefore debited to the vote account only once the exact amount is reported to the Scottish Office, which can be up to 2 months after the date of the actual expenditure. The information held by the Scottish Office is not therefore a reliable indicator of the monthly expenditure by the NHS in Scotland. The net annual audited expenditure for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 is set out in the table. Estimated outturn information is provided for 1997–98 as audited expenditure is not yet available.

£million
Year Revenue expenditure Capital expenditure Total
1994–95 3,922 38 3,960
1995–96 4,090 -7 4,083
1996–97 4,226 16 4,242
1997–98 4,421 -5 4,416

The capital expenditure provided in the table relates to direct capital expenditure by Health Boards net of capital receipts. In 1995–96 and 1997–98 income from the sale of land and buildings was greater than expenditure on capital. Capital expenditure by NHS Trusts is funded from the revenue income they receive from Health Boards and by loans from the Scottish Office.

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