§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now encourage health boards to use commercial contractors for their supporting services, such as catering, laundry and cleaning.
§ Mr. YoungerThe Government firmly believe that the use of commercial contractors to carry out supporting services can lead to substantial financial savings for the Health Service. We must make every effort to ensure that its resources are fully utilised and that its services are operated as cost-effectively as possible.
I propose to issue a circular after consulting health boards, asking them to test the efficiency of their supporting services by putting them out to tender. I expect tenders to be submitted not only by commercial contractors but by their own staff on the basis of fair comparison.