11. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the NHS hospital building and equipment budget; and if he will make a statement. (149018)

I have regular conversations with ministerial colleagues but, as was convention under previous Governments, I will not disclose the specific details of such discussions. However, I can confirm

NHS capital expenditure has grown by over 10 per cent. per year in real terms since 1997-98

We have already replaced almost a third of the acute and general NHS estate since 1997

By 2010, 111 new major hospital schemes will be open (worth £8.5 billion)