§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now withdraw his circular of September 1983 requiring local health authorities to put their cleaning and laundry services out to tender; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo. We expect competitive tendering to produce savings for health authorities which will be a valuable source of resources for developments in patient care. Districts are being allowed to retain the full benefit of all the savings that they make and are expected to spend them on additional services for their patients.