§ Mr. Allenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has offered any guidance to regional and district health authorities on the desirability of licensing or leasing in respect of commercial tendering for National Health Service work and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonYes. A health authority inviting tenders for a laundry service must offer contractors the opportunity of providing the service from the existing National Health Service laundry, assuming there is one. A letter from the then management board chairman to regional health authority chairmen in January 1986 covers this, and advises that such a laundry should be leased to the successful tenderer. However, in response to a specific query we have also offered one regional health authority advice on licensing.