§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the contracts for hospital and health board services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by Ayrshire and Arran health board, including successful tenderer and value of contract.
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Hospital Unit Service Type Contractor Previous cost £000s Tender value £000s Crosshouse Catering In-house 813 779 Crosshouse Domestic In-house 808 765 Ayrshire Central Catering In-house 525 516 Ayrshire Central Domestic In-house 430 401 Head Office Hotel In-house 38 34 North Clinics and Health Centres Hotel In-house 56 55 Kirklandside Hotel In-house 411 401 Ballochmyle/Holmhead Hotel In-house 1,286 1,142
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe objectives of the Government's forestry policy have evolved in recent years to reflect the increasingly diverse role perceived for forestry in Britain, with a greater emphasis being placed on social and environmental benefits as well as on timber production. There are no plans to produce a new set of objectives at this stage.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he plans to control the commercial afforestation of hilly areas in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Forestry Commission's consultations with local authorities and other statutory bodies in relation to grant-aid applications act as an effective control over new planting schemes. The consultation procedures have been strengthened by the introduction of arrangements whereby the Forestry Commission may require grant applicants to carry out an environmental assessment of new planting proposals where these are likely to have significant effects on the environment. In addition, the Forestry Commission continues to operate a presumption against the large-scale planting of predominantly coniferous species in the English uplands. Taken together, these measures represent an effective system of regulating planting in the uplands.