Mrs. RenéeShort asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will invite the chairmen of regional health authorities to discuss with him the effects of 543W enforced competitive tendering for National Health Service contracts on the manpower and wage levels of ancillary workers, caterers, cleaning and laundry staff.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe discuss competitive tendering at regular meetings with chairmen of regional health authorities. I see no purpose in raising the particular point to which the hon. Member refers.
Local Authorities (West Midlands Region) Percentage of children in care who were boarded out in foster homes at 31 March 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1979–84 Hereford & Worcester 42.9 41.3 39.2 41.5 45.1 47.5 42.8 Shropshire 45.3 44.6 44.8 46.7 48.4 54.6 47.3 Staffordshire 33.4 34.8 37.9 41.5 45.8 48.1 39.9 Warwickshire 62.3 63.5 67.2 68.2 85.6 74.9 70.2 Birmingham 21.0 23.0 27.1 31.7 35.3 37.8 28.5 Coventry 40.9 44.2 47.8 54.8 54.5 60.0 50.0 Dudley 42.4 45.0 54.2 56.2 59.7 58.7 52.3 Sandwell 28.2 29.9 34.3 43.9 30.4 33.2 33.5 Solihull 33.0 43.3 40.0 35.1 41.3 46.5 39.0 Walsall 33.2 35.4 36.3 38.9 44.4 48.0 38.9 Wolverhampton 32.3 35.0 35.4 40.2 41.6 48.4 38.5