§ 11. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest estimate of the savings from competitive tendering in the national health service.
§ Mr. DorrellTotal annual savings from competitive tendering of NHS ancillary services in the United Kingdom now amount to £156 million.
§ Mr. MarshallDoes my hon. Friend agree that the abolition of competitive tendering and the introduction of a national minimum wage would rob the NHS of hundreds of millions of pounds and would lead to the cicsure of hospitals and the cancellation of operations? Would not such a course of action be as successful as the racing tips of the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook)?
§ Mr. DorrellMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Labour party is not committed to any specific increase in health service expenditure, but it is committed to a specific cut in the proportion of NHS expenditure used for patient care. My hon. Friend correctly identifies that, and the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) will have a difficult task explaining it to patients who would not be treated if his policies were implemented.