§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reasons he imposed a retrospective cut-off date for approvals for local capital projects proposed by primary care trusts; [157962]
(2) how many primary care trusts have informed his Department of the possible cancellation of local capital projects as a result of (a) the decision to change the method of funding allocations and (b) the imposition of a retrospective cut-off date. [157964]
§ Mr. HuttonSignificant new revenue funding will be made available to support public and private capital investment in the primary care estate, based on local prioritisation of development proposals. Baseline allocations for 2004–05 have been notified to all primary care trusts, and these take account of new developments contractually agreed by 30 September 2003. This date was set to allow sufficient time fort robust baselines to be established and notified to PCTs. An additional element of growth funding to support prioritised developments contractually agreed after that date will be allocated to lead-PCTs.
We are not aware that any schemes have been cancelled at this time.