§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has taken steps to ensure that health boards seeking to privatise laboratory services have secured in the contract documents absolute legal liability of the contractor for delictual acts on his behalf; whether contractors are required to show proof of ability to meet awards in damages; whether that liability may lie in insurance cover; and whether the National Health Service has any residual liability for services that are privatised.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe National Health Service is liable to its patients for services provided for it by contractors. No specific instructions have, however, been issued by the Scottish Home and Health Department in relation to laboratory services. Such matters would be dealt with by boards under their ordinary procedures for placing contracts.