§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute an annual cash prize within the National Health Service for the best ideas brought forward by employees for increasing efficiency in all areas of the service.
§ Mr. John PattenI fully share my hon. Friend's belief that we should seek by all available means to improve the efficiency of the NHS, and he will be aware of the steps the Government have taken to achieve this. Quite a number of health authorities already run staff suggestions schemes to reward good ideas from their own employees, and I hope more will do so. I will consider further my hon. Friend's suggestion, and write to him in due course.