HC Deb 29 March 1983 vol 40 c117W
Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) relating to private contractors at Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge on 17 February, Official Report, c. 488, whether the health authority is satisfied with the contractors.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) stated in the House on 17 February—[Vol. 37, c. 488]—that the Cambridge DHA was dissatisfied with the performance of the cleaning service provided by private contractors at Addenbrooke's hospital. This is not true.

The contract with the present contractor is due to expire in summer 1984, and in accordance with normal practice of open competitive tendering the health authority will be inviting tenders for a fresh contract. An in-house tender will also be prepared.

Organisations Concerned with
(£' 000)
Deafness Blindness Physical disability Mental disability More than one disability group
1978–79 56 230 459 322 294
1979–80 20 273 594 457 364
1980–81 95 343 710 534 601
1981–82 138 475 827 1,045 875

In addition, the following amounts were provided to the family fund for distribution to families of disabled children and as capital grants for accommodation for deaf-blind people at Poolemead and Market Deeping.

(£'000)
1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82
Family fund 1,826 2,449 2,949 2,949
Deaf-blind accommodation 39 32 116