asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many letters Ministers in his Department have sent to regional, area and district health authorities chairmen since 1981 on privatisation;(2) how many speeches Ministers in his Department have made since 1981
(a) in the House and (b) outside the House on the subject of his Department's press notices on privatisation.
We do not keep these figures. Ministers have taken a close interest in ensuring the success of our competitive tendering policy. This policy is already producing large savings which are being used to improve services to patients.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many circulars on privatisation he has issued to health authorities since 1981.
I assume the hon. Member is referring to competitive tendering and only one circular, HC(83)18, has been issued on this subject.