HC Deb 15 December 1983 vol 50 c564W
Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will re-examine and seek to reduce from 65 pages the draft invitation to tender for provision of catering services accompanying his letter DA (83)40 of 22 November 1983 addressed to regional administrators, district administrators and others.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

No. Detailed documentation is necessary if competitive tendering for hospital catering services is to be carried out in a manner which will ensure that services are provided to the high standards required.

Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of pages, the weight and postage to be paid per copy of the proposed specimen contract for laundry services and for linen rental services to be issued as an addendum to his letter DA (83)40 dated 22 November 1983.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

These documents are not yet available but they are likely to be of similar length to those circulated with DA(83)40.

Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the recipients, including Department of Health and Social Security offices, of letter DA(83)40, dated 22 November 1983, the total number of draft contracts posted and the cost of postage per set of documents.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Specimen tender and contract documents from domestic services and catering services were sent out under letter DA(83)40 on 22 November 1983. The distribution was:

  1. (a) 5 copies of each to:
    • Region Health Authorities
    • District Health Authorities
    • Special Health Authorities for the London Postgraduate Teaching Hospitals
    • Boards of Governors
  2. (b) 6 copies of each to:
    • The Staff Side Secretary, General Whitley Council
  3. (c) 1 copy of each to:
    • The Association of Domestic Management
    • The British Hotels, Restaurants and Caterers Association
    • The Hospital Caterers Association
    • The Hotel and Catering Industries Management Association
    • The British Institute of Cleaning Science
    • The Contract Cleaning and Maintenance Association
    • The Catering Industries Liaison Committee
    • The Association of British Launderers and Cleaners

A total of 1,092 specimen documents were sent at a cost of £3.50 per packet for (a) and (b) and 80p per packet for (c).