To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what average length of time hospital wards which have been deep cleaned have been out of use during deep cleaning. (180396)

The details and timetable of each trust’s deep clean plan will vary according to local need and the configuration of local services. In addition, not all deep cleaning requires the closure of wards, and trusts will have organised their programmes in order to minimise disruption to services and inconvenience to patients.

I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement given on 17 January 2008, Official Report, columns 38-39WS. Further information on the implementation of the deep clean of the NHS is available from strategic health authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health from which budget the £50 million for deep-cleaning hospitals has been allocated. (180250)

Funding for deep-cleaning hospitals has been allocated from strategic health authority budgets. I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement given by the Secretary of State on 21 November 2007, Official Report, columns 134-35WS.