§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the reasons for the delay in publishing the standards reports relating to(a) cleanliness and (b) decontamination announced on 14 November 2000. [19957]
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§ Ms BlearsThere has been no delay in publishing the standards reports relating to hospital cleanliness. So far as decontamination is concerned, we took the view that improving the standard of decontamination in the national health service was more important than reporting on it. We therefore asked the assessors to help with drawing up action plans and check on their implementation. We have published the results of the preliminary and comprehensive surveys of decontamination today. Copies will be placed in the Library.