HC Deb 26 February 2002 vol 380 cc1086-7W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he uses to decide on whether to withhold information on the grounds of commercial confidentiality in relation to contracts abroad with foreign companies. [36517]

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish cost details for those NHS patients who have received treatment in continental hospitals; and why this information was not published before treatment was given. [37313]

Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on(a) commercial confidentiality and (b) public accountability in contracts made for patients to be treated abroad. [36519]

Mr. Hutton

We will not publish details about the cost to the national health service of individual operations carried out on NHS patients treated at particular hospitals in Europe as part of the pilot scheme.

It would not be possible to publish this information without breaching commercial confidentiality. It would also undermine the negotiating position of the NHS with existing and potential healthcare providers.

This is consistent with the approach to release of information set out in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Information about overall expenditure on treatment for patients under the pilot scheme will be published in due course.