§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the outcome of the tendering process for the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the service specification and contract. [15442]
§ Mr. HoramA contract was signed for the management of the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy with the Maternity and Child Health Research Consortium on 7 March 1996 and took effect from 1 April 1996.
Copies of the service specification—or "statement of requirements"—have been placed in the Library.
353WThe contract contains commercial information that was supplied in confidence and is not, therefore, available for disclosure.
§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy for the financial year 1996–97; and how much has been allocated for(a) central organisations and analysis, (b) allocations to regions and (c) other purposes. [15439]
§ Mr. HoramThe total amount allocated to the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy in the 1996–97 financial year is £2,039 million.
The other financial information requested is contained within the contract, is commercially confidential and is not, therefore, available for disclosure.
§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for disseminating the report of the evaluation of the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [15443]
§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the full costs of the tendering process for the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman) of 11 December 1995,Official Report, columns 525–28. [15456]
§ Mrs. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he uses to decide on the membership of the national advisory body for the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy; and for what reasons representatives of Wales and Northern Ireland do not have observer status on the body. [15444]
§ Mr. HoramMembership of the national advisory body is designed to cover a range of professions, interest groups and perspectives. This includes knowledge of practices in different parts of the country. It is not a representative body.
The role of the national advisory body has changed since April 1996 and it is appropriate for its size to be reduced accordingly.