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NHS Foundation Trusts
The Secretary of State for Health (Dr. John Reid): Following my announcement on 19 November at column 826 of Hansard, of my intention to set up a review of the first national health service foundation trusts, I wrote yesterday to the chair of the Healthcare Commission (whose statutory name is the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection), Sir Ian Kennedy, asking the commission to provide me with advice in accordance with its statutory obligations.
The review will consider the challenges, difficulties and experiences of those trusts which became NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2004 and 1 July 2004, although the views and opinions of those trusts aspiring to be authorised this autumn will be important. In undertaking the review, the healthcare commission will need to work closely with the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts. However, the final report will be advice to me from the healthcare commission. I have previously made a commitment not to approve any new proposals for NHS foundation trust applications between autumn 2004 and autumn 2005, pending the outcome of this review.
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The terms of reference for the review are:
what evidence in general terms is there that NHS foundation trusts are using their powers to
improve access to services,
improve the quality of care for patients,
engage the local community,
engage staff to deliver high quality care to patients and the population;
what obstacles have NHS foundation trusts faced and do they foresee in achieving the above objectives;
what has been the impact of NHS foundation trusts, so far, on relationships within the local health economy;
in what ways are their governance arrangements assisting or impeding NHS foundation trusts from exercising their powers for the benefit of patients?
It is my expectation that the report of the outcome of the review will be published in summer 2005. Copies of my letter to Sir Ian have been placed in the Library.
PRIME MINISTER
Honours System
The Prime Minister (Mr. Tony Blair): The Government have received Sir Hayden Phillips' report on his review of the honours system. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
We shall consider this report alongside the report "A Matter of Honour: Reforming the Honours System" (HC212) by the Public Administrator Select Committee, which was published on 7 July. The Government will make a statement on the way forward later this year.
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
E-Conveyancing (Progress Report)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Mr. David Lammy): Since the publication of the e-conveyancing consultation report last year, Land Registry has continued to work closely with stakeholders, including potential service providers, to determine the structure of e-conveyancing services in England and Wales.
I have recently approved a report by Land Registry on its recommended way forward and copies of a document entitled "Defining the Service" have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Whilst this document describes the e-conveyancing services to be delivered, it should be noted that these are the subject of ongoing consultation with stakeholders and may be subject to future revision. The e-conveyancing service will comprise three main components:
A central e-conveyancing service controlled by Land Registry.
An accompanying electronic funds transfer service to be supplied by an "Agent Bank" (or banks) and
Service delivery channels provided largely by the private sector, but including a Land Registry channel.
I have agreed the proposed structure and have asked Land Registry to continue work to develop these three services. In the design and build of the central e-conveyancing service and the Land Registry channel, the Department will procure the assistance of an IT strategic supplier.
Land Registry will procure an "Agent Bank" (or banks) to support the electronic funds transfer service.
Land Registry will consider the options for the future fee structure for its e-conveyancing and paper services and report back to me on this by the end of 2004.
Commonhold (Implementation)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Mr. David Lammy):
On the 14 July I made the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (Commencement No 4) Order 2004. The order will bring into force on 27 September 2004 the whole of the remainder of Part 1 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 except for section 21(4) and (5).
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I have today also laid before each House the Commonhold Regulations 2004 and the Commonhold (Land Registration) Rules 2004 with, in each case, an explanatory memorandum, which includes a regulatory impact assessment.
The effect of these instruments is that as from 27 September commonhold will be available in England and Wales as a new way of owning interdependent freehold properties, such as blocks of flats. It combines the security of freehold ownership with a robust standard legal framework for the management of common facilities. It will be an alternative to long leasehold ownership and will be equally available for residential and commercial property.
The implementation of commonhold fulfils a manifesto commitment made in 2001 and will increase housing choice.
To accompany the Commonhold Regulations my Department has published non-statutory guidance. I have placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses. It is intended that Land Registry Practice Guide in connection with the Commonhold (Land Registration) Rules will be published in the near future following the making of a fee order for commonhold applications. Copies of the Regulations and the non-statutory guidance will be available on my Department's website and copies of the rules will be available on Land Registry's website.