§ Ms Jenny JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the value for money criteria used by the NHS Executive in assessing bids for the development of former hospital sites.[44964]
§ Mr. MilburnSurplus National Health Service land is sold on the open market in accordance with the advice contained in the Department's Estatecode, which follows Her Majesty's Treasury rules. The criteria are that surplus NHS property should be sold as quickly as possible, at the best price which can reasonably be obtained on the open market. In order to obtain the best price, consideration should be given to obtaining planning permission for the highest value alternative use. All proceeds from sales are re-invested in the NHS.
The NHS employs, both in-house and externally, professionally qualified valuers to advise on disposal methods; to advise on which offers represent best value for money for the NHS (usually the highest bid); and to obtain information on the creditworthiness of any bidder.