HC Deb 01 May 1996 vol 276 cc1145-6
15. Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to meet Greater Glasgow health board to discuss NHS funding. [26067]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

My right hon. Friend has had no request for such a meeting.

Mr. Watson

The Minister knows that one of the acute hospitals covered by Greater Glasgow health board is the Victoria infirmary, which is suffering a severe funding crisis. Partly as a result of that, it is indulging in a competitive tendering process for support services, about which I have written to him.

Will he address the concerns of trade unions, staff and, to some extent, management about the activities of a company called Capita and an individual called Norman Foster, who was previously employed by the hospital? He seems to be giving the company an inside track in the tendering process while an in-house tender bid has been blocked. Those are important issues of public interest that must be investigated. Will the Minister undertake to do so?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I am happy to look into the case. My understanding is that the NHS trust has already done so and considers that there is not a conflict of interest and that the correct procedures have been followed. I agree that there is a potential conflict of interest. I will look into the matter and write to the hon. Gentleman. I stress that Greater Glasgow health board has been allocated more than £589 million for revenue expenditure, which is a substantial sum for choosing the priorities for its health care.