§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what correspondence from companies he has received regarding oxygen concentrators in the last four weeks; if he will list such firms; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has invited submissions from companies concerned with oxygen concentrators regarding contract work in the use of oxygen concentrators; if he has received any communications since 30 March regarding oxygen concentrators; if he will list the companies making contact; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have not invited any submissions from companies concerning oxygen concentrators but a number of firms have approached the Department of their own volition about concentrators for284W domiciliary use. Only four such approaches hve been made in the last four weeks, all since 30 March. Until we have produced the policy referred to in my reply on 28 March at column 217 following receipt of the advice mentioned in my earlier reply on 26 March at columns 63–64 it would be premature to invite submissions from companies and I consider that the details of those approaches already made should remain confidential.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he invited the British Oxygen company to submit proposals to him about oxygen concentrators;
(2) when the British Oxygen company submitted its proposals on the use of oxygen concentrators; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe proposals which the British Oxygen company submitted in confidence on 20 September 1982 were not invited. They comprised a scheme for a comprehensive domiciliary oxygen therapy service which incorporated as a first step the phased introduction of a national cylinder delivery service direct to patients' homes and subsequently the supply of oxygen concentrators. It was not until the 30 March 1984 that the company agreed to have the details of its proposals made public.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the effect of the introduction of oxygen concentrators supplied by manufacturers other than the British Oxygen company on total payments by the National Health Service to the British Oxygen company; if he will explain the methods currently agreed for payments to the British Oxygen company; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Meadowcroft) on 26 March at column62. It will be possible to give such an estimate only when decisions have been taken on future arrangements for the supply of medical gases and concentrators to hospitals and to patients using the domiciliary services and when it is known on what scale needs will be met by suppliers other than BOC Ltd.
Under present arrangements payments are made to BOC Ltd by hospital authorities and pharmacists for the supplies they receive at nationally agreed rates negotiated centrally which seek to ensure that the overall profits of the company are at a reasonable level.