§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the rules which govern the use of proceeds from sale of his Department's land by NHS trusts; and if these rules would apply to the sale of land by north Bristol NHS Trust at(a) the Frenchay hospital site and (b) the Southmead hospital site. [141346]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 11 December 2000]: Regional offices of the National Health Service Executive decide whether a trust keeps the proceeds from the sale of an asset. This decision is taken after careful consideration of the competing demands for capital investment within the region. The objective is to use sale proceeds from any sale of trust assets to achieve the maximum benefit for the NHS.
In the south west region capital receipts of less than £1 million are usually retained automatically by the trust. Receipts of more than £1 million are normally retained by the Trust subject to the production of a suitable business case for the use of the money.
The use of any proceeds from the sale of land at Frenchay and Southmead hospitals where the amount exceeds £1 million will be a matter for discussion between north Bristol NHS Trust and the south west regional office.