§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the difference in status and authority between a departmental circular to health authorities and advice such as that offered in December 1985.
§ Mr. WhitneyI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will clarify the advice issued to health authorities in December 1985 to ensure that they do not understand paragraph 6 to mean that less information should be collected about the standards achieved by contractors.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe do not consider this will discourage health authorities from collecting necessary information.