HC Deb 05 February 1987 vol 109 cc800-1W
Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many full and part-time workers are currently employed at Haslar hospital; and what is the comparable figure proposed by Gardner Merchant;

(2) how many people Gardner Merchant said it would employ for the catering contract for Haslar hospital.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The numbers of staff, currently employed at the hospital is as follows:

Non-industrial Industrial
Hospital (excluding Catering Department)
Full-time 97 122
Part-time 15 52
Catering Department
Full-time 4 48
Part-time 24

The proposed labour levels are matters for the contractor's commercial judgment. Details of their tender are commercial in confidence.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the Gardner Merchant bid for the catering contract for Haslar hospital, Gosport, included provision for subsidised transport for its staff; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Pay and conditions of service, which would include items such as subsidised transport, are a matter for contractors. An examination of tenderers' proposals in this area is made as part of tender evaluation to ensure that wage rates on which the price is based are at a level at which the contractor could reasonably be expected to obtain good quality employees in the particular locality.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available the tender conditions for all bids for the catering contract at Haslar hospital.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No; these are commercial in confidence.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if subsidised transport will still be available to catering staff after 1 April at Haslar hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No MOD subsidised transport will be provided for the employees of the contractor. This is a matter for the contractor.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence who authorised the release of the current work roster to Gardner Merchant after it had secured the contract, concerning catering staff at Haslar hospital; and for what reason.

Mr. Archie Hamiliton

The medical officer in charge of the hospital authorised the release of the information, which is not confidential after the award of the contract. This was to assist the contractor in his planning.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Offical Report a financial comparison of the eight bids for the catering contract at Haslar hospital.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No. Tenders by potential contractors are commercial in confidence.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the current cleaning contractor is fulfilling his contract obligations at Haslar hospital; and if there are any plans to review the current arrangements.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Yes, the contractor is fulfilling his obligations. There are no plans to review the current arrangements.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many unfilled vacancies exist for cleaners in Haslar hospital, Gosport.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The number of unfilled vacancies for cleaners is a matter for the contractor.