To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average allocation of funding for education and training was within NHS trusts in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07; and if she will make a statement. (108301)

In 2005-06, the Department allocated £3,587 million to the national health service through the multi-professional education and training (MPET) budget. In 2006-07, the Department allocated £3,766 million in the same way.

MPET allocations are made to strategic health authorities (SHAs) rather than directly to NHS trusts. In 2006-07, the SHAs have received the MPET allocation as part of their overall funding allocation and have managed the investment in education and training according to local priorities.