§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how NHS Direct will be funded once the pilot funding has been discontinued; and if he will make a statement; [94892]
(2) if primary care groups and primary care trusts will acquire budgetary responsibilities for NHS Direct once the current pilot funding is discontinued. [94895]
§ Ms StuartNHS Direct is currently funded through a central budget. The National Health Service Executive Headquarters and NHS Executive Regional Offices will continue to have budgetary responsibilities for NHS Direct for the foreseeable future.