asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the hospitals in the North-West Thames region where the laundry service has been given to outside contractors, the total of investment for the in-house laundry over the last 10 years and his estimate of the sale proceeds of the plant; and if he will make a statement.

The contract for district laundry services in Hounslow and Spelthorne health authority has been awarded to a private contractor. I regret that the other information requested is not available centrally.