HC Deb 23 March 1979 vol 964 cc289-90W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will state details of the economic appraisal, in respect of both the revenue and capital implications recommended by his Department, to be taken by health authorities when making new arrangements for the provision of laundry and linen facilities;

(2) if he will set out the criteria that his Department recommends that health authorities should use in deciding whether or not to use commercial laundry services for National Health Service hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Deakins

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 180–1], gave the following information:

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the first report by the NHS Advisory Committee on Laundries, published in June 1978, which sets out factors to be considered in planning laundry services for the National Health Service.

Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the number of National Health Service laundries serving hospitals, their locations, and the number of persons employed in each.

Mr. Deakins

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 180–1], gave the following information:

There are 321 National Health Service laundries; I am sending the hon. Member a list showing their locations. At 30 September 1976 a total of some 9,400 staff were employed in them; figures for individual laundries are not available centrally.