§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy regarding offering alternative employment to civilian catering staff whose jobs are disestablished as the result of the introduction of contract catering at Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich.
§ Mr. LeeEvery effort will be made to find alternative MOD employment within the vicinity of Woolwich garrison for staff affected by contract catering plans at Queen Elizabeth military hospital. The contractor will also be encouraged to employ those staff whose jobs are affected. If despite these efforts some staff have to be declared redundant, they will be eligible for reduncancy compensation based on length of service in the Department.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average number of meals produced each week by the catering department at Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich.
§ Mr. LeeAbout 20,000 main meals are prepared each week at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what annual financial savings he estimates will result from the introduction of contracts catering at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich.
§ Mr. LeeTenders for the catering support contract at Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, are currently being evaluated. I am unable to give details of the expected savings that will be achieved since this information would reveal the price of the acceptable tender which is agreed in confidence between the Department and the contractor. I can however say that there will be a significant saving over directly employed labour costs.
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§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those military hospitals which have introduced contract catering services together with the starting dates and the names of the contractors involved.
§ Mr. LeeNo military hospitals have yet introduced a contract catering service. From 1 April 1986, a contract will be introduced at Princess Alexandra's Royal Air Force hospital, Wroughton, Wilts. The contract has been awarded to Pennine Caterers Ltd.
The use of contract catering at other military hospitals is under consideration, but no decisions have been made.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what evidence he has based his judgment that contract catering at Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, can provide an effective service at lower cost.
§ Mr. LeeThe preparation of any proposal to invite tenders for work performed by MOD staff includes the formulation of a schedule of requirements and the identification of in-house costs. The contractor's acceptance of the schedule of requirements and the conditions of contract will ensure an effective service.
It is our policy that the only work that is carried out within the defence support organisation is that it is essential the Ministry of Defence carries out for clearly proven operational reasons or where there is significant financial advantage for the taxpayer.