§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many district health authorities have awarded contracts for cleaning, catering and laundry in-house notwithstanding a lower tender having been available from an outside contractor; and if he will give details of the difference in price in each case.
§ Mr WhitneyHealth authorities are required to accept the lowest tender unless there are compelling reasons not to do so. We are aware of the following cases to us this year where an in-house tender was accepted when it was not the lowest tender:
Health Authority Type of Contract Hospital Gloucester Domestic Gloucester Royal Infirmary North West Hertfordshire Domestic Hemel Hempstead General Hospital South Tyneside Domestic Community Clinics West Suffolk Domestic West Suffolk and Thetford Hospitals The prices involved are regarded as confidential.