§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he takes to satisfy himself that the specifications given by district health authorities in England to those tendering for ancillary services contracts mirror those required to be met previously by in-house operators.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe expect health authorities to review their requirements before producing specifications. All tenderers, whether in-house or private contractors, then have to submit tenders to meet the same specifications.
§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is advising district health authorities in England of the best current practice in putting their ancillary services out to competitive tender.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have given health authorities detailed advice on the procedures for putting these services out to competitive tender, but we are reviewing whether any further advice is needed to ensure fair and open competition.
§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many district health authorities in England, after putting their catering, domestic and laundry services, respectively, out to competitive tender, have decided to keep the services in-house.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are aware of 66 health authorities which have decided after tendering to keep part of these services in-house.
§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to increase the number of district health authorities in England putting their ancillary services out to competitive tender.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe expect all health authorities to put out their support services to competitive tender and we are monitoring their progress closely. Considerable savings are being achieved by those authorities that have gone out to tender and these savings are being used to improve services to patients.