§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to review the contracting out of services undertaken by each regional health authority; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe White Paper "Competing for Quality" published in November 1991 set out the case for the use of market testing procedures to test the quality and cost effectiveness of services in central Government and the national health service.
Revised guidance on market testing will be published shortly. Regional health authorities will be asked to follow the guidance where they undertake market testing of their own headquarters and other services.