HC Deb 22 June 1971 vol 819 cc230-1W
Mr. Trew

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to regional hospital boards on the use of design and construct contracts for building projects.

Sir K. Joseph

Hospital boards require my approval when they wish to depart from the normal practice of design by private architects and engineers or by professional staff in the employment of boards, or to appoint contractors without competitive tenders. Design and construct contracts have been approved for some minor hospital building work where they have been found to be justified on merits but in general hospital projects are too complex for this type of contract to be appropriate.