HC Deb 29 January 1997 vol 289 c273W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on compulsory competitive tendering in the national health service. [13065]

Mr. Horam

Market testing is a proven and successful vehicle for improving both value for money and quality of services to national health service patients. As a result of market testing, it is estimated that, since 1983, the NHS has saved a total in excess of £1 billion which has been made available for direct patient care.