HC Deb 25 February 1988 vol 128 c283W
Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to the answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 664, he will indicate which organisation or individual organised the meeting held on 2 October 1987; and if he will list all those who were invited to attend, and the basis on which they were so invited.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The meeting was organised by the Scottish Home and Health Department. Since the subject of the seminar was competitive tendering for domestic and catering services, invitations were issued to the trade associations representing domestic and catering firms and to the chairmen and general managers of health boards and the Common Services Agency in view of their responsibilities for managing the Health Service. Grant Thornton Management Consultants were invited because of their considerable experience of the process of competitive tendering in the NHS in England.

Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to the answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 664, he will indicate where the meeting of 2 October 1987 was held.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Scottish Health Service centre, Edinburgh.

Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to the answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 664, he will indicate which organisations and individuals made presentations at the meeting held on 2 October 1987; and if he will arrange for copies of any written material to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Presentations were made by the Contract Cleaning and Maintenance Association, the British Hotels Restaurants and Caterers Association and Grant Thornton Management Consultants. I am placing in the Library copies of material which was handed out by the CCMA to those taking part in the seminar.

Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to the answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 664, he will indicate the individuals or organisations represented by Grant Thornton Management Consultants at the meeting held on 2 October 1987, and whether Grant Thornton Management Consultants were paid any moneys from public funds in respect of their services.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Grant Thornton did not represent any individuals or organisations at the meeting on 2 October 1987. They received no fee for their attendance.