Written question asked by David Hinchliffe (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 March 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 21 March 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 12th February 2002, 380 c327W, on the costs of staff redundancy packages arising as a consequence of organisational change in the NHS, if he will make it his policy to collate details of these costs by region; and what data his Department collates on the costs of staff redundancy.

Answer: Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2002, Official Report, column 327W, on the costs of staff redundancy packages arising as a consequence of organisational change in the NHS, if he will make it his policy to collate details of these costs by region; and what data his Department collates on the costs of staff redundancy. [44086] Mr. Hutton: In accordance with Her Majesty's Treasury financial reporting guidelines, information on provisions for premature retirement pensions are separately identified in the published annual accounts of national health service trusts and health authorities. There are currently no plans to extend these reporting requirements or routinely collate data by region as this would unduly add to the administrative burden for the NHS.

Secondary information