To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the appointment of the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Hospitals. [R] [121869]

The advert for the post of Independent Regulator was advertised on 14 May 2003. Candidates were asked to respond by 3 June 2003. The recruitment process is on-going and I expect to announce the appointment later this year. The appointment process is in line with best practice in the public sector and includes independent assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he proposes to make of the first wave of NHS foundation trusts prior to deciding whether (a) to support the creation of more such trusts and (b) to expand foundation trusts beyond the hospital sector. [R] [121870]

All national health service trusts will have the opportunity to apply for NHS foundation trust status within the next five years. It has also already been agreed that the NHS foundation trust model will be extended to NHS mental health trusts.The experience gained from the first wave NHS foundation trusts will be applied as implementation progresses and in exploring whether this model could be adapted for other NHS organisations.The process for establishing NHS foundation trusts will be kept under capital review.