§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on the inclusion of privatisation as one of her priorities and key challenges for 1995–96 to 1997–98; [22763]
(2) what factors led to the addition of privatisation as a priority in the 1995 departmental report; [22765]
(3) what services she has prioritised for privatisation in 1995–96 to 1997–98. [22764]
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 9 may 1995]: The Department is committed to securing the best value for money available for its internal running costs. Its "Priorities and Key Challenges 1995–96—1997–98"—repeated in the "1995 Departmental Report"—includes privatisation as well as market testing and purchasing among the range of techniques available to secure this. This is in line with the White Paper "Continuity and Change", Cm 2627.
A prior options review recommended the privatisation of the non-core business of the National Health Service Estates agency. Ministers have accepted this recommendation and a scoping study is now under way to consider the extent of the business that might be included. There are no other privatisations planned.