§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance he has given to local health authorities which decide to put their laundry requirements out to competitive tender on the length of contract they should offer; and what consideration he has given to the fact that in some other European countries such contracts are normally on a 10-year basis.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeHealth authorities will be sent specimen laundry contracts shortly and will be advised then that contracts should normally be for an initial period of from three to five years, although it is open to them to offer longer periods if it would be financially advantageous to the authority to do so. This advice is in line with the practice elsewhere in this country.