§ Mr. Bob Dunnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received suggesting that health authorities should be required by law to test the efficiency of ancillary and domestic services in hospitals by ensuring that such services are submitted to tender.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI am not aware of any recent representations requesting use of legal powers. However, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Montgomery) on 24 June 1982.—[Vol. 26, c.171–72.]
§ Mr. Bob Dunnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the 1982–83 National Health Service budget of hospital authorities will be spent on domestic and ancillary services; and what was the equivalent proportion for 1981–82.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergDomestic and other ancillary services, which include catering, cleaning, portering, laundry, linen, transport, but not ambulance, and estate management, accounted for just under 30 per cent. of the revenue expenditure on NHS hospitals in 1981–82. Information for 1982–83 is not available.
§ Mr. Bob Dunnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health authorities are now using private contractors for domestic and ancillary services which were previously using in-house services at the same time in 1981.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI regret that this information is not available.