HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc405-6W
Mr. Forth

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give the National Health Service domestic service contracts won by the in-house work force in the competitive tendering programme which have exceeded the tender prices;

(2) if he will detail the scrutiny procedures required of regional health authorities to report cases where the National Health Service domestic service contracts won by the in-house work force have exceeded the tender price in the competitive tendering programme.

Mr. Whitney

Our guidance stipulates that if the in-house organisation is awarded the work, the health authority should make sure that its procedures ensure that:

  1. 1. The tender price becomes the budget.
  2. 2. The budget cost is not exceeded.
  3. 3. Regular monthly reports are made to the district health authority on the financial position and the standard of performance.
  4. 4. If it becomes clear that the costs cannot he brought back within the budget the district health authority should put the service out to tender again.

Regional health authorities are expected to monitor the performance by districts in their competitive tendering programmes but do not have to report individual cases in which the budget is exceeded to the Department.