§ Mr. Ryderasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list measures to encourage competition being considered by his Department.
§ Mr. John Stradling ThomasOur Department is closely involved in a number of initiatives for extending competition which extend to the United Kingdom as a whole. Specific action being taken in Wales includes:
- 1. Health authorities in Wales have been asked to compare the cost of their in-house catering, laundry and domestic services with tenders obtained from the private sector and to let contracts for catering, domestic and laundry services to whoever can provide the level of services required at the lowest cost.
- 2. Health authorities in Wales have been asked to continue to manufacture pharmaceutical and other products in-house only where it is more economical to do so or where no suitable product is otherwise available.
- 3. The Welsh Office and health authorities in Wales are actively examining areas where private sector activities could provide a competitive alternative to NHS facilities.
- 4. In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, I am studying what measures can be taken to speed up the process of contracting out local government services.