§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2002,Official Report, columns 63–64W, on health authority expenditure, if he will publish the latest forecast outturn for 2001–02 for each health authority and NHS trust in the south-east region of England; [30557]
(2) if he will place in the Library details of the savings in expenditure which the NHS south-east regional executive is requiring each trust and health authority to make by 31 March; and if he will make a statement on the implications of those savings for the services and the capital expenditure programmes of each trust and health authority. [31548]
786W
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answers 25 January and 29 January 2002]: Health bodies in the south-east reported in mid January a projected overspend at the end of the financial year of £60 million. Support is being provided to ensure that this can be managed without any adverse effect on patient care principally through brokerage from elsewhere in the national health service. This is normal practice in managing the year-end financial position. Discussions will therefore be ongoing, with the financial position being closely monitored right up to the end of the financial year.