§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what improvements can be made in the National Health Service procurement system;
(2) when he expects the National Health Service supply council to be set up; what will be its terms of reference; who will administer the council; and what will be the cost per annum to public funds.
§ Dr. VaughanI refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Mere-den (Mr. Mills) on 23 June. The costs of the council will be borne by health authorities and are expected to be modest in relation to the total expenditure on supplies—around £150,000 in its first year442W —but will depend upon the programme decided by the council.—[Vol. 987, c. 61.]