To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to wind up the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA); what effect he expects the winding up of NHS PASA to have on (a) the NHS business services contract with DHL and (b) cost savings achieved on the contract with DHL in the 12 month period following the wind up. (277201)

The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) will be closed before April 2010 as a consequence of the information of the new Commercial Operating Model, published on 7 May 2009 and copies have been placed in the Library. However, in order to support planned efficiencies it is anticipated that much of the transition of functions will be concluded by September 2009.

The closure of NHS PASA will not affect the Department’s contract with DHL or the cost savings achievable on the contract.