§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance has been issued by his Department to(a) local authorities and (b) health board and NHS trusts in Scotland on when they should enter into a competitive tendering exercise before awarding contracts for goods or services. [9850]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 17 January 1996]: The Scottish Office Environment Department has issued a number of guidance circulars to local authorities on compulsory competitive tendering. In particular, circular 13/93 offers advice on the avoidance of anti-competitive behaviour. Circular 13/95 provided guidance on compulsory competitive tendering during local government reform.
184WComprehensive guidance on market testing for NHS services in Scotland issued from the management executive of the NHS in Scotland to health boards and national health service trusts on 6 October 1993. This consolidated all earlier guidance which had issued since 1987 when competitive tendering was introduced in the national health service in Scotland. The guidance addresses all aspects of market testing involving non-clinical services. Separate guidance which issued in 1992 covers the circumstances in which health boards and national health service trusts are required to use contracts negotiated centrally by the supplies division of the Common Services Agency for goods, services and equipment.
Local authorities and health boards and national health service trusts must also have regard to the EC procurement directives.