§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has examined the possibility of allowing tendering for the provision of such hospital services as cleaning and catering by private enterprise; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungYes. Health authorities have discretion to put a wide range of services out to contract, and I believe there are opportunities for increasing efficiency in this way. It is for the authorities, with their knowledge of local needs and circumstances, to decide whether to do so, but I have said on numerous occasions that I should like them to give careful consideration to the scope for contractural arrangements.