§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose that the Secretary of State for Health will have a power of direction over the Independent Regulator for National Health Service Foundation Trusts. [HL675]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)No. The Secretary of State for Health will not have a power of direction over the Independent Regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have consulted the Office of National Statistics about the classification of National Health Service foundation trusts in the national accounts; and, if so, what advice they have received. [HL680]
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§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathNo. We have not consulted the Office for National Statistics about the classification of NHS foundation trusts in the national accounts.
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the amounts due under private finance initiative contracts will be treated as borrowing for the purpose of the borrowing limits to be set for National Health Service foundation trusts. [HL689]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathNo. The contract with a private finance initiative project company is for a service and as such does not constitute borrowing.
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who will carry out the independent financial review of National Health Service foundation trust applicants referred to in paragraph 7.9 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. [HL826]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathWe will shortly be tendering for the contract to carry out the independent financial review.
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What level of financial support will be given to National Health Service foundation trust applicants during the second-stage application process referred to in paragraph 7.13 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. [HL827]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathWe will discuss the level of support with the shortlisted applicants. It will be tailored to their needs.
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether financial support will be given to National Health Service foundation trust applicants prior to the passing of legislation allowing the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts. [HL828]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathYes. Financial support will be given to NHS foundation trust applicants prior to the passing of legislation.
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether National Health Service foundation trusts will be obliged to comply with all national standards and service priorities set for the National Health Service generally. [HL829]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathYes. The position is set out in paragraph 3.20 ofA Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts.
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What will be the relationship between strategic health authorities and National Health Service foundation trusts. [HL830]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathNHS foundation trusts will not be subject to performance management by46WA strategic health authorities but will be expected to co-operate with them under their duty of partnership (see paragraph 3.21 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts).
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether National Health Service foundation trusts will have to provide the same data for central purposes as National Health Service trusts; and, if not, what will be the differences. [HL831]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe position is set out in paragraph 3.23 ofA Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is intended that National Health Service foundation trusts will be able to use the proceeds from disposal of non-regulated assets to acquire further non-regulated assets. [HL837]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe position is set out in paragraph 5.24 ofA Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who will determine whether proceeds of non-regulated assets are used to further a National Health Service foundation trust's public interest objectives as referred to in paragraph 3.19 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts; and what activities will be regarded as within that concept. [HL838]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathIt will be for the independent regulator to determine whether there is any breach of the requirement in paragraph 3.19 in line with provisions to be set out in forthcoming legislation.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the board of governors of a National Health Service foundation trust will be free to appoint an auditor other than the Audit Commission or the National Audit Office. [HL839]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathProvisions will be set out in forthcoming legislation.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the chair and members of the board of governors of a National Health Service foundation trust will be remunerated. [HL840]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe position is set out in paragraph 2.24 ofA Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. Details will be set out in forthcoming legislation.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the chair and non-executive directors of a management board of a National Health Service foundation trust will be remunerated. [HL841]
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§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathNHS foundation trusts will be free to decide on their constitutional arrangements, including the remuneration of the chair and non-executive directors on the management board, subject to requirements to be set out in forthcoming legislation.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What ownership rights will be conferred on members of a National Health Service foundation trust. [HL842]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe position is set out in paragraphs 2.11 to 2.15 ofA Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.