To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on information technology by (a) NHS trusts and (b) primary care trusts in (i) 2002-03, (ii) 2003-04, (iii) 2004-05 and (iv) 2005-06. (74060)

The information requested is shown in the table.

These figures, rounded to the nearest whole million pounds, comprise revenue expenditure reported through a national survey of information technology investment by national health service organisations; and capital expenditure, including information technology additions and software licences, identified in NHS accounts. They do not include expenditure by strategic health authorities, special health authorities, or central expenditure funded by the Department.

For each year in the table, revenue expenditure is understated because a small percentage of NHS organisations, averaging four per cent. per year, failed to complete returns.

Information for 2005-06 is not yet available.