16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from national health service trusts about budgetary constraints. [2188]
None. National health service trusts are no longer given budgets, but earn their income from providing services to purchasers of health care. The level of income a trust receives is subject to contractual negotiation with purchasers each financial year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that national health service trusts retain flexibility over whether or not to contract out specific services. [2185]
The only requirement on trusts is to market test catering, domestic and linen-laundry services at regular intervals. Otherwise it is for individual trusts to decide which services to market test, and when, in order to reflect local circumstances and needs.