§ Mr. RostTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken to implement the recommendation of the National Audit Office's 1987 report on competitive tendering for support services in the National Health Service, that his Department should ensure that factors which could restrict the scope for competition in laundry tendering, are identified.
§ Mrs. CurrieDetailed guidance has been issued to health authorities by the Department, most recently last438W November, which seeks to ensure that all tendering for laundry and other services is carried out even-handedly and in a way that encourages fair competition. Copies have been placed in the Library. Where complaints of unfair competition arise, they will be followed up in the first instance by the appropriate regional health authority, and will then come to the Department if unresolved.
§ Mr. RostTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent health authorities are required to publish the criteria by which they evaluate proposals for competitive tendering; and what steps he has taken to assess whether such criteria are generally reasonable.
§ Mrs. CurrieDepartmental guidance to health authorities includes the framework to be used for the comparison of the costs of tenders received, and the other action to be taken, and factors to be considered, in the overall evaluation of tenders. Copies of the most recent guidance have been placed in the Library. Authorities are expected to brief unsuccessful tenderers as fully as possible on how the contract decision was reached, and why their bids were not successful. Regional health authorities need to be informed of cases where the lowest tender is not accepted, and will consult the Department where any doubt arises over the decision taken.