§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outstanding repair and maintenance backlog figures were(a) in each NHS region and (b) in England in each of the last five years. [39143]
§ Jacqui SmithWhile backlog maintenance costs have risen since 1994–95 the bringing into use of new health care buildings resulting from the major capital investment programme within the NHS, in the order of £7 billion by 2010, should see a marked decrease in backlog maintenance costs. This is already evident in the smaller rate of change seen recently in backlog maintenance costs. It is estimated that the impact of this planned major capital investment, together with contributions from block capital issued directly to NHS trust should, if fully implemented, see the virtual eradication of most backlog maintenance costs within the NHS by 2010.