§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) for the latest date for which information is available, how many hospital laundry tenders have been won by in-house bids after submission to competitive tender in England in the past 12 months;
(2) if he will give for the latest date for which information is available the details of savings on previous costs achieved by successful in-house bids for hospital laundry services in England;
(3) at the latest date for which the information is available, at which hospitals laundry services have been submitted to competitive tender in England in the past 12 months;
(4) at the latest date for which information is available, how many English hospital laundry contracts have been awarded to private commercial firms in the past 12 months;
(5) if he will give for the latest date for which information is available the cumulative total of savings arising in the past 12 months from the submission of hospital laundry services to competitive tender.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer my hon. Friend to my replies to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 30 October at column967, and on 30 November at column 623–24.