HC Deb 25 June 2003 vol 407 cc777-8W
Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met the Paymaster General to discuss the implementation of the new system of tax credits. [118330]

Mrs. McGuire

My right hon. Friend and I have discussions, as the need arises, with the Paymaster General and our officials are in regular contact with the Inland Revenue to discuss implementation of the new Tax Credits.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the number of tax credit claims outstanding in Scotland. [118331]

Mrs. McGuire

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General's remarks during the debate in Westminster Hall on 4 June 2003,Official Report, columns 120–22WH. No breakdown of the figures that my right hon. Friend gave is available below UK level.

(2) how many patients normally resident in Scotland have been treated in NHS hospitals in England, broken down by regional NHS trusts, in each of the last five years. [114772]

Mrs. McGuire

[holding answer 20 May 2003]: The information readily available is outlined in the table.

The table shows the transfers since 1999–2000 to fund –Scottish residents out of area treatment in English NHS hospitals. These transfers primarily relate to emergency admissions (for example, when a patient is on holiday) where no service level agreement exists in relation to a patient's treatment.