§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any proposals to contract out to private companies ancillary services of the National Health Service.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement clarifying the use and employment of private contractors in the support services of the Health Service, and detailing the extent of such usage in the various sectors.
§ Sir George YoungHealth authorities have discretion to put a wide range of services out to contract, and it is for them to decide whether their needs can most suitably be met by doing so. My right hon. Friend has indicated that he would be glad to see them use their discretion more freely, and I am considering what further encouragement it may be appropriate for me to offer.
Detailed information about all services is not available centrally; but in 1978–79 the provision by contractors of catering and domestic cleaning services, for example, accounted for 0.16 per cent. and 2.38 per cent. respectively of the total NHS expenditure on these services in England.