HC Deb 13 February 1984 vol 54 c96W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that area, regional and teaching hospital health authorities are backed by adequate professional engineering expertise when placing building contracts; and if he has recently recommended to health authorities any new criteria against which the tendering system should be assessed.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Yes. The NHS employs numerous works professional staff who have more than sufficient expertise to advise their authorities when placing building contracts. Our Department issues guidance on the application of contracting procedures recommended by the National Joint Consultative Committee for Building which includes a code of procedure for obtaining tenders. In October 1983 we published a comprehensive contracts code CONCODE for use by the NHS. Copies of CONCODE were placed in the Library.

Dr. Mawhinney

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what factors, other than tender price, district health authorities may take into account in determining which private contract, if any, to accept.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.