§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his policy that Health Care International will be permitted to seek contracts to treat NHS patients; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartThe Health Care International business plan is based on overseas and private business. If however, health boards wish to use HCI to the benefit of patients and they provide value for money my right hon. Friend would not object to HCI or any other private hospital accepting NHS patients in circumstances where the hospital could offer a specific medical technique not readily available elsewhere or where the NHS saw a need for particular waiting lists to be reduced more quickly than the service itself was in a position to achieve.