§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical and other services have been privatised at Barnsley district general hospital since 1979; and what effect this has had on the wages of existing ancillary workers at the hospital.
§ Mrs. Currie[pursuant to her reply, 12 March 1987, c. 298]: The tenders for domestic, catering and laundry services which have been subject to the competitive tendering process in Barnsley health authority have been let in-house and generated an estimated annual saving of £326,000 for development in health care in the district. Full details are not available centrally. The hon. Member may therefore wish to contact the chairman of the Barnsley health authority for the information he seeks and also for details of any contractual arrangements affecting individual patients.