Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all appropriate cost headings taken into account by health authorities in determining the true cost of in-house laundering and dry-cleaning facilities.
§ Mr. FreemanWe expect health authorities to take account of all relevant expenditure in determining the cost of their in-house laundering and dry cleaning facilities.
Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what capital expenditure has been incurred by health authorities on the purchase of new laundering and dry-cleaning equipment over the past two years;
(2) what proportion of the capital expenditure incurred on the purchase of new laundry and dry-cleaning machinery and on the construction of new and renovation of existing laundry facilities over the last two years was for the creation of additional laundry capacity.
§ Mr. FreemanCapital expenditure incurred by health authorities on the purchasing of laundry and dry cleaning equipment over the last two years is as follows:
£ 1987–88 2,350,000 1988–89 2,069,000 It is for health authorities to determine the laundry facilities required to meet their needs.
Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital expenditure has been incurred on the building of new National Health Service laundries and the renovation of existing laundry facilities over the last two years.
§ Mr. FreemanNo new National Health Service laundries have been built in the last two years. Renovation of existing laundries is a matter for local health authorities.