§ 28. Mr. Maudeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with recent progress made by health authorities on contracting out ancillary services.
§ 43. Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent progress he can report on the contracting-out to private companies of National Health Service services.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIt is too early to report significant progress. However, we are now receiving reports on the planned timetables for tendering by health authorities from regional health authorities. They summarise programmes for putting out to competitive tender domestic, catering, and laundry services. These reports will be studied and we will decide what action it is now necessary to take in the light of them. All the indications so far are that the Service as a whole is now about to embark on a nationwide phased process of going out to tender on these services in order to make the most cost-effective provision of support services of the required standard. The savings that will be achieved will be devoted to improved patient care.