§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Prime Minister if she will ensure speedy co-operation between the Department of Health and Social Security, the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Trade and Industry, to encourage and support British companies to develop and expand the production and use of the British design of oxygen concentrators; if Her Majesty's Government will give their support to the expansion of this form of oxygen therapy; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterA number of companies already sell oxygen concentrators in this country, some of which are manufactured in the United Kingdom. My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health has recently commissioned from the accountants, Arthur Andersen and Company, a study of the arrangements for the supply of domiciliary oxygen. We will decide in the light of the results of the study the extent to which oxygen concentrators should replace the existing arrangements for the provision of existing therapy to domiciliary patients. I would hope that British manufacturers of concentrators will be able to compete effectively for any additional business that may result. I would expect the provisioning of oxygen equipment to be carried out in accordance with public procurement policy which is aimed at helping the development of the design, technology and competitiveness of suppliers.