HC Deb 23 March 1988 vol 130 cc146-7W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make it his policy to compare tenders for National Health Service domestic and catering services in the Western Isles on a like-to-like basis, in particular, as regards wages to be paid to ancillary staff.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

It is the responsibility of individual health boards to evaluate tenders before awarding contracts. Boards have been told that they must ensure that all comparisons of tender costs are undertaken on a fair and equitable basis in accordance with the guidelines set down by the Scottish Home and Health Department. The particular wage rates to be paid by outside contractors to their employees are a matter for the firms concerned.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many of the commercial contractors who have so far expressed an interest in offering competitive tenders for the National Health Service catering and domestic services in the Western Isles are based in the Western Isles;

(2) if he will list those commercial contractors who have expressed an interest in offering competitive tenders for the provision of National Health Service catering and domestic services in the Western Isles;

(3) what is the estimated total cost to the Western Isles health board of preparation for competitive tendering in accordance with the instructions issued to the board on 11 December; and if he will express this as a percentage of the board's domestic and catering services budget.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he has issued to ensure the maintenance of current standards of service in those areas of the National Health Service domestic and catering service to be subject to commercial tender following the instructions issued by his Department to the Western Isles health board on 11 December 1987.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

This subject was covered in general guidance on competitive tendering issued to boards in 1983, 1986 and in the Scottish Home and Health Department's letter of 11 December 1987 to boards general managers.