§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in how many cases the competitive tendering process for National Health Service services has led to industrial unrest in the National Health Service, including strikes; and if he will identify the cases where the strike has lasted more than one week;
(2) in how many cases a district health authority has had complaints about the efficiency of private contractors to which it had awarded a service contract.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe do not collect this information centrally.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many contracts have so far been awarded by district health authorities after competitive tendering; what proportion and how many have gone to private contractors; if he will categorise the contracts according to the type of service provided; and what proportion and how many of the successful contractors belong to trade associations.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer the right hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 30 October and 30 November at columns967 and 623–24, respectively.