HC Deb 13 December 1983 vol 50 cc819-20
3. Mr. Fatchett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received in relation to the privatisation of catering services in the National Health Service.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. Norman Fowler)

We have received a number of inquiries from firms interested in NHS catering contracts since our health circular on competitive tendering for support services was issued in September.

Mr. Fatchett

Apart from the fact that some firms are looking for easy pickings from the contracts, will the Secretary of State note the recent comment by the vice-chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority that the privatisation of catering services would lead to a reduction in standards and a loss of patient care? Given the disastrous experience of privatisation in local government, is it not about time that the Minister changed his policy of enforced privatisation and put patients first rather than profits for private companies?

Mr. Fowler

The whole purpose of the policy is to put patients first. The Government's policy is that the private sector should be given the opportunity to tender for a range of services on a fair comparison basis. The whole point of the policy is that if savings are made they go to patient care. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would support such a policy.

Mr. Leigh

Does my right hon. Friend agree that if we are to fulfil our pledge to cut taxes we must reduce NHS spending and reduce also the largest work force in western Europe, and that the only way to do so is to pursue vigorously a policy of privatisation?

Mr. Fowler

No, Sir, I do not agree with all that my hon. Friend has said. The Government stand by the NHS. We wish to make the Health Service more efficient and effective. The NHS is a concept which the Government entirely support.

Mr. Meacher

Is the Secretary of State aware that Trust Houses Forte Ltd. and Town and City Properties Ltd. are the two principal companies hoping to pick up the catering tab from the privatisation of the NHS, and they have shareholder lists that read like a roll call of the Tory party, including the former chairman of the Tory party, a host of Tory Members of Parliament, both past and present, and some Tory Ministers?

Does not privatisation mean forcing down the pay of some of the lowest paid in the NHS in order to enhance the profits of greedy Tory shareholders, many of whom are the colleagues of the Secretary of State?

Mr. Fowler

I can hardly compete with what my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary said, because that is another thoroughly silly question from the Opposition Front Bench. The point is that the money from savings by contracting-out is spent on patient care. I wonder what the hon. Gentleman thinks the Health Service is all about. It is a user. It is a service that is provided not for the providers but for patients.