§ Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much was spent on contracted-out services by the National Health Service during 1982–83 and 1983–84;
(2) what proportion of total expenditure was spent by the National Health Service on contracted-out services for (a) domestic cleaning, (b) catering and (c) laundry services in 1982–83 and in 1983–84;
(3) how many area health authorities used private contractors to some extent for (a) domestic cleaning, (b) catering and (c) laundry services in 1982–83 and in 1983–84.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe annual accounts of health authorities in England — excluding the Prescription Pricing Authority and the Dental Estimates Board — submitted to the Department for 1982–83 show the following:
- (a) total expenditure on all contracted-out services was £197.5 million:
- (b) two per cent., 0.2 per cent. and 11.5 per cent. of total expenditure on domestic cleaning, catering and laundry services respectively was incurred under external contracts:
- (c) of the 192 district health authorities-the successors of area health authorities—191 used private contractors to some extent for domestic cleaning, 44 for catering and 177 for laundry.
Figures for 1983–84 will be available in the autumn.