§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the reasons for ending compulsory competitive tendering in the NHS; [6740]
(2) if he will make a statement on the timetables for ending compulsory competitive tendering to the NHS. [6739]
§ Mr. MilburnApart from the requirement periodically to market test cleaning, catering and laundry services, all market testing in the National Health Service is and has always been conducted on a voluntary basis. A review of the operation of the present policy is currently being undertaken by officials and the requirement to market test the three named services is being considered as part of this review. No decisions have yet been taken.