§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish health authority responses to his circular on contracting out issued in February 1983.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe consulted health authorities on a draft circular on competitive tendering for domestic, catering and laundry services in February 1983. Their comments were taken into account in the preparation of circular HC(83)18 which we issued in September 1983. We see no point in publishing these comments.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the standard of cleaning and laundry services provided by private contractors in National Health Service hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have received a few complaints, but we have no reason to believe there has been any reduction in standards as a result of employing private contractors in the great majority of cases.