§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether and, if so, when they intend to respond to the recommendations made by the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland in February 1996 aimed at ensuring that equal opportunities are included at every stage of the competitive tendering process in health and education services in Northern Ireland.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)The Government expect to respond in the near future to the report and recommendations arising from the Equal Opportunities Commission investigation into the effects of competitive tendering in the health and education services.