§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue a circular to area health authorities advising them to engage private contractors for the hotel services of hospitals, such as catering, cleaning and portering.
§ Sir George YoungNo. As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant) on 5 November, it is for health authorities to decide in the light of local needs and circumstances how these services can best be provided.—[Vol. 973, c.52.]