To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been top-sliced from primary care trusts budgets in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09, broken down by primary care trust; and for each year how much has been paid back in each case. (224302)

The Department collected primary care trust (PCT) top slice information in the format requested in 2006-07 only. This information, based on data collected in the 2006-07 Month 12 national health service financial monitoring forms, has been placed in the Library.

The 2007-08 NHS Operating Framework clearly stated that, because of the extent of the financial recovery across the NHS, PCTs should not need to contribute the same level of top slice from their revenue allocations as was the case in 2006-07. Consequently, in the 2007-08 NHS draft accounts, we collected data showing a single net value for the amount of top slice transferred to, and paid back by, strategic health authorities (SHAs) during the year, and the balance remaining with SHAs at the year-end.

Figures for 2008-09 will be available from the 2008-09 NHS draft accounts after the end of the financial year.