HC Deb 20 November 2003 vol 413 cc1377-8W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he envisages for political parties in the elections to the governing boards of foundation hospital trusts. [138514]

Mr. Hutton

None. The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, as amended at Lords Report, includes a power that regulations may make provision as to the conduct of elections for membership of the board of governors of a national health service foundation trust. The regulations may include the obligations on nominees to declare their interests.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether limits to candidates' expenditure are to be imposed in the elections to the governing boards of foundation hospital trusts. [138520]

Mr. Hutton

The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, as amended at Lords Report, includes a power that regulations may make provision as to the conduct of elections for membership of the board of governors of a national health service foundation trust. The regulations may cover election expenses and publicity.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from(a) NHS trusts and (b) others concerning the electoral systems which may be used in elections to the board of governors of NHS foundation trusts. [139116]

Ms Rosie Winterton

[holding answer 18 November 2003]: None. The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill now requires regulations to set out procedures for elections. While officials are in dialogue with national health service foundation trust applicants and expert bodies about how the secondary legislation might allow for elections to take place, we have not received any representations from NHS trusts or others suggesting electoral systems which may be used to elect members of an NHS foundation trust to its board of governors.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the proposed public register of members of an NHS foundation trust will allow for members to be listed as patients or carers. [139118]

Ms Rosie Winterton

[holding answer 18 November 2003]:Subject to Parliament, it is the Government's intention that a national health service foundation trust would be allowed, but not required, to distinguish between members who are patients and those who are carers in the register of members.