§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money(a) his Department and (b) the NHS plan to spend on marking the 50th anniversary of the NHS. [40951]
§ Mr. MilburnI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) on 19 December 1997,Official Report, columns 389–90. In accordance with the principles that the activity will be decentralised and devolved, will promote core National Health Service aims, and that money is not diverted from patient care, it is for individual NHS organisations to consider what funds they are able to use or generate for local activities, and it is not possible to estimate the likely cost to the NHS.
The costs of central support for the NHS's aims during anniversary year are met from within the Department's publicity and communications budget. In 1997–98, the gross forecast outturn for this element is £1,122,252. In 1998–99, we estimate that the gross contribution will be around £550,000. We intend that this expenditure will be offset by sponsorship wherever possible.