HC Deb 12 July 1988 vol 137 cc177-8W
Mr. Sims

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to assess whether the execution of National Health Service contracts for laundry and linen services are properly monitored; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Mr. Rost) on 1 July at column394.

Mr. Sims

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the extent to which competitive tendering in the National Health Service has released resources for patient care; and what areas he identifies for improvement.

Mrs. Currie

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) on 14 June at column164. We encourage health authorities to consider the possibility of competitive tendering in any area of their services where this is seen to offer scope for increased efficiency, effectiveness and value for money. Progress is now being made both in going to tender for a package of related services, and also in extending the range of services that have been put out to tender by individual authorities.

Mr. Sims

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance he gives to health authorities, in assessing competitive tenders, to ensure that the costs of in-house National Health Service laundry and linen services are accurately assessed.

Mrs. Currie

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Mr. Rost) on 1 July at column446.