Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 April 2001. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Monday, 2 April 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the disposal by Hyder of its PFI contracts with George Eliot and South Warwickshire hospitals to IBA; and if he will make a statement; what PFI contracts have been awarded to IBA by South Manchester and Kettering hospitals; and if he will make a statement; if his Department has taken steps to ensure the accuracy of information published by IBA on its website regarding the awarding of NHS PFI contracts. (Holding answer 30 March 2001).

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the disposal by Hyder of its PFI contracts with George Eliot and South Warwickshire hospitals to IBA; and if he will make a statement; [156216] (2) what PFI contracts have been awarded to IBA by South Manchester and Kettering hospitals; and if he will make a statement; [156263] (3) if his Department has taken steps to ensure the accuracy of information published by IBA on its website regarding the awarding of NHS PFI contracts. [156264] Mr. Denham: [holding answer 30 March 2001]: IBA has been appointed preferred bidder under the Private Finance Initiative procurement process for the provision of Information Technology (IT) services at South Manchester University Hospitals National Health Service Trust and Kettering General Hospitals NHS Trust. Contracts will be signed if the trusts are satisfied that the final proposals are affordable and provide value for money solutions for the NHS. George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and South Warwickshire NHS Trust are currently taking legal and financial advice on IBA's proposal to take over the prime IT contracts which they currently hold with Hyder plc. The accuracy of information produced by private sector companies is a matter for the companies themselves. Government bodies expect to be fully consulted about the use of information supplied by them to other parties in good faith during the course of a procurement process.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 366 c37W; 156216;156263;156264
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Contracts Hospitals ICT Private finance initiative Hyder Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk