§ 40. Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on current proposals for privatisation within the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThere are no plans for privatisation as such within the NHS if the word is used to mean the transfer of a whole field of activity to the private sector. However, we have asked health authorities to test the cost-effectiveness of their support services and in particular their cleaning, catering and laundry services by putting them to competitive tenders, including in-house tenders. By these means we expect money to be saved, which can then be used to improve patient care.