§ Sir Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all district health authorities that have contracts with private companies for catering or domestic services or laundry and the annual savings figures as compared with direct labour.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer my hon. Friend to my replies to the hon. Member for Holbom and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 30 October and 30 November at columns967 and 623–24.
§ Sir Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that where direct labour 223W organisations win a tender for catering or domestic services or laundry the price quoted is the total paid by the relevant health authority.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have given health authorities clear advice on the costs that should be included in the in-house tender. We believe this advice is being followed generally and we will investigate any case in which it appears that it is not. If the outturn cost of the service proves to be significantly higher than the estimated cost in the successful tender, we will require a new open tendering exercise to be carried out.