11. The National Audit Office Report discussed affordability-some tenants were concerned about the rental costs they faced (paragraph 2.14). Representatives from the National Pharmaceutical Association, the British Dental Association and Local Authorities told the National Audit Office that they had concerns over rental costs. The National Audit Office asked for relevant background and received qualitative feedback rather than quantitative data.
12. Wide consultation at the time the NAO Report was carried out (paragraphs 16 and 17 below) did not reveal any general affordability issues for PCTs. The business cases reviewed for the case studies had considered affordability for the local health economy. After the Report was published, in the light of experience as developments came on stream, affordability questions were starting to be raised. During a visit by members of the Committee of Public Accounts to a LIFT development, arranged by the National Audit Office after the Report was completed, this issue was raised by Dr Kohli, a GP in the LIFT development. He also raised the issue in the 17 October 2005 Committee Session. As a result, the National Audit Office gathered relevant information, which it has included in its supplementary memorandum to the Committee.