§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposals for the privatisation of hospital services upon the equality of opportunity between the two communities and between the sexes.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 29 January 1990]: The health and social services boards are fully committed to the principle of equality of opportunity for all employees. Companies tendering for contracts in the health and personal social services are required to meet their statutory obligations under the fair employment and sex discrimination legislation.