To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was top-sliced from primary care trusts in 2006-07, broken down by trust; how much of these top-sliced funds have so far been paid back, broken down by trust; and by what date these funds will be fully paid back to primary care trusts. (163364)

Figures showing the value of primary care trust top-slice, and the amount returned by strategic health authorities (SHAs) in 2006-07, have been placed in the Library.

It is for each SHA to manage both the timing and method for repaying contributions made by their PCTs within a reasonable period, not usually exceeding the three-year allocation cycle, and depending on overall affordability within the SHA economy. SHAs should consider the position of PCTs with the greatest health need first.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is being top-sliced from primary care trusts in 2007-08, broken down by trust. (163365)

The Department made clear in the national health service operating framework for 2007-08 that strategic health authorities (SHAs) will not generally need to top-slice primary care trust (PCT) revenue allocations to the same level as in 2006-07 because of the substantial improvement in the overall financial position of the NHS. However, for 2007-08 a number of PCTs have chosen to lodge resources with their SHA to be included within the SHA’s strategic investment fund as a safeguard against any risk associated with the lower financial settlement over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11.

The data showing the value of PCT lodgements in their respective SHA’s strategic investment fund have been placed in the Library.