§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the exact value of contracts between health authorities and the British Oxygen Company.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDetails of contracts placed by health authorities with the British Oxygen Company for the supply of medical gases and for other supplies or services are not collected centrally. So far as medical gases are concerned, the summary of accounts for hospital authorities—England—show that for the year ending 31 March 1983 the expenditure was £9.9 million. Virtually all of this sum would have been paid to BOC Limited, which is the major supplier.