§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the NHS procurement directorate's regulations governing the NHS regional supply centres with respect to the marginal costings of their operations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodI am aware of the guidelines issued by the NHS management executive to health authorities on the carrying out of any resale activities outside the NHS. My Department, the Department of Health and the Office of Fair Trading have found no evidence of anticompetitive practices arising from this trade, but we continue to keep this market under review.