§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS has spent on providing meals for patients; and how many meals were served in each of the last three years. [14936]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 15 November 2001]: The national health service spent almost £366 million on the provision of meals for patients in 1999–2000, the first year when information was collected centrally. Data collection for 2000–01 is still in progress.
The NHS provides over 300 million meals each year, detailed data are not collected centrally.
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the applicants for the national franchise for NHS Catering; and if he will name the successful applicant. [15052]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 15 November 2001]: The NHS Plan commits us to examining a franchise option by the end of this year. Any franchise arrangements will be subject to European Union regulation and will require open competition within the Community for any interested party.