§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those companies which tendered for the contract for the Department of Social Security health screening programme; what is the cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeDisclosure of the names of the companies invited to tender for the Department of Social Security health screening programme could cause commercial damage to the unsuccessful tenderers and jeopardise the Department's future relationships with its suppliers. The cost of the three-year contract at current prices and depending upon take-up is estimated to be £4 million.
§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the BUPA health screening service will visit the Coventry offices of his Department; for how long; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeBUPA mobile screening units will be visiting Department of Social Security offices in Coventry early in December for a period of one or two weeks depending upon take-up.
§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the criteria which led to the selection of BUPA to provide a health screening programme for his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeBUPA was chosen following a competitive tendering exercise to assess the ability of leading health-care providers to deliver the Department's requirements, having particular regard to company infrastructure; financial stability; mechanisms for ensuring quality and integrity of service; logistical planning; standard of mobile screening units; experience of comparable screening programmes; capacity to meet the Department's specification; and overall value for money within available budget.