To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the extra administrative costs to the National Health Service of the introduction of primary care boards. [78134]

There will be no extra administrative costs to the National Health Service arising from the introduction of primary care groups. The combined health authority and PCG management costs will be less than the management costs of the previous system of HAs and general practitioner fundholders. This will contribute towards our commitment to deliver a £1 billion saving in NHS management costs over the life of this Parliament.