HC Deb 16 November 1989 vol 160 cc407-8W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has about the consequences of so-called free hours offered by contractors upon the quality and cost of services put out to competitive tendering.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 14 November 1989]: None. Once a contract has been let, the contractor is obliged to provide the service to the agreed quality standard within the contract price.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his advice to health and social services boards as to how they should treat tenders submitted by contractors which contain qualifications as to the number of man-hours required to carry them out and who offer so-called free hours.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 14 November 1989]: The health and social services boards are expected to conduct the evaluation of tenders on a fully equitable basis. This includes assessing whether the man-hours proposed by private contractors are adequate to provide a quality service.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps were taken in advance of the Western health and social services board's award of a tender for catering services to ascertain the performance record of tendering contractors on previous projects for other authorities.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 14 November 1989]: In accordance with the Department of Health and Social Services' circular, the Western health and social services board assessed the capabilities of each potential contractor, including checking references and making visits to establish the company's performance record.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether every company which has tendered for health service contracts in Northern Ireland in the last year has complied with the provisions of the Fair Employment Act (Northern Ireland); and what information he has as to whether each of them awarded contracts has subsequently satisfied the provisions of the Act.

Mr. Needham

I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

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