§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all those district health authorities which have so far failed to submit programmes for competitive tendering for hospital catering, cleaning and laundry services.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe following district health authorities have failed so far to submit competitive tendering programmes to our Department:
- Brent
- Greenwich
- Lewisham and North Southwark
- Coventry
- Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde
- Sandwell
- Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
- Salford
- South Manchester
- West Lancashire
We have made it quite clear to these authorities that we expect them to submit programmes in the near future and that we take a serious view of any failure to test and demonstrate the cost effectiveness of their support services. None of these authorities would find difficulty in spending savings from support service costs on improvements in patient care.