§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 18 February 1998,Official Report, column 712, how he establishes the open market value of NHS real estate sold to preferred bidders. [32628]
§ Mr. MilburnMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State seeks advice on the assessment of open market value of National Health Service property from the Valuation Office Agency, or suitable and professionally qualified private sector valuers where, exceptionally, any sale is to be made to a preferred bidder. Generally, surplus NHS property is sold in the open market.