: I agree, but it is important to have information about those items that are not provided, so that we can consider sensibly whether an assumption that the private sector can come and sweep up the market is dogmatic or realistic. I hope that the Minister will insist on having...

: I agree, but it is important to have information about those items that are not provided, so that we can consider sensibly whether an assumption that the private sector can come and sweep up the market is dogmatic or realistic. I hope that the Minister will insist on having...

The hon. Lady is speaking up powerfully for her constituents. Does she think that anything of an inherent public service ethos is to be found in this process? After all, Tesco has to have extraordinarily reliable, up-to-the-minute delivery systems and so on as well. Could the hon. Lady clarify why...

The hon. Lady is speaking up powerfully for her constituents. Does she think that anything of an inherent public service ethos is to be found in this process? After all, Tesco has to have extraordinarily reliable, up-to-the-minute delivery systems and so on as well. Could the hon. Lady clarify why...

: The review was conducted some time ago and it makes interesting reading on the potential for market expansion. The report recognises that we should not expect all NHS supplies to be provided centrally. Sometimes, therefore, it is not necessarily sensible to say that a certain proportion should be provided...

: The review was conducted some time ago and it makes interesting reading on the potential for market expansion. The report recognises that we should not expect all NHS supplies to be provided centrally. Sometimes, therefore, it is not necessarily sensible to say that a certain proportion should be provided...

: Further to the question that my hon. Friend the Member for Weaver Vale (Mr. Hall) asked about the 1998 Cabinet Office report, does my hon. Friend recognise that parts of it are not really relevant now, given the expansion of NHS resources since 2001? The authors of the report...

: Further to the question that my hon. Friend the Member for Weaver Vale (Mr. Hall) asked about the 1998 Cabinet Office report, does my hon. Friend recognise that parts of it are not really relevant now, given the expansion of NHS resources since 2001? The authors of the report...

: Yes, I am. NHS Logistics has won a string of awards. For example, last year it won an IT technology award for which it was praised by Sir Nigel Crisp. I am particularly interested in the IT awards, because we are told that the need for investment in a...

: Yes, I am. NHS Logistics has won a string of awards. For example, last year it won an IT technology award for which it was praised by Sir Nigel Crisp. I am particularly interested in the IT awards, because we are told that the need for investment in a...

Some queries have been raised against the validity of the Cabinet Office study to which my hon. Friend referred. Would she like to comment on that?

Some queries have been raised against the validity of the Cabinet Office study to which my hon. Friend referred. Would she like to comment on that?

I apologise for my late arrival, Mr. Olner, but I have rarely seen such appalling traffic as I encountered on my way here. I am pleased to have secured this debate about the future of NHS Logistics and the market testing process being carried out as part of the review...

I apologise for my late arrival, Mr. Olner, but I have rarely seen such appalling traffic as I encountered on my way here. I am pleased to have secured this debate about the future of NHS Logistics and the market testing process being carried out as part of the review...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. Is she aware that last year NHS Logistics beat all comers, including private sector organisations, to win the coveted supply chain of the year award, which is organised by Motor Transport magazine?

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. Is she aware that last year NHS Logistics beat all comers, including private sector organisations, to win the coveted supply chain of the year award, which is organised by Motor Transport magazine?

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. If there were a completely free market, the NHS Logistics Authority might do more business than it does at the moment. It is important to note that we already have an efficient business that guarantees security of delivery, and that it is...

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. If there were a completely free market, the NHS Logistics Authority might do more business than it does at the moment. It is important to note that we already have an efficient business that guarantees security of delivery, and that it is...

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. The simple fact is that NHS Logistics does not have a monopoly of supply in the NHS. The NHS purchases from NHS Logistics because it is the best supplier. If the NHS was not satisfied with the service from NHS Logistics, it...

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. The simple fact is that NHS Logistics does not have a monopoly of supply in the NHS. The NHS purchases from NHS Logistics because it is the best supplier. If the NHS was not satisfied with the service from NHS Logistics, it...

: Does my hon. Friend know whether a proper study has been carried out of whether those who will have to deal with this new private sector body—if it is created—to purchase additional goods wish to do so, or whether they wish to continue getting goods through NHS Logistics? Is...

: Does my hon. Friend know whether a proper study has been carried out of whether those who will have to deal with this new private sector body—if it is created—to purchase additional goods wish to do so, or whether they wish to continue getting goods through NHS Logistics? Is...

: That exercise has not been carried out. Had it been done, the satisfaction ratings of NHS Logistics suggest that the 600 NHS trusts in the UK that use its services would send the message loud and clear that they are very satisfied with the service. I defy anyone to...

: That exercise has not been carried out. Had it been done, the satisfaction ratings of NHS Logistics suggest that the 600 NHS trusts in the UK that use its services would send the message loud and clear that they are very satisfied with the service. I defy anyone to...

: Does my hon. Friend agree that it should be possible to open up new markets to the NHS Logistics Authority, not just in the NHS but in the private sector? There are currently constraints on the operation of markets. If we were not to take a dogmatic and ideological...

: Does my hon. Friend agree that it should be possible to open up new markets to the NHS Logistics Authority, not just in the NHS but in the private sector? There are currently constraints on the operation of markets. If we were not to take a dogmatic and ideological...

: Before my hon. Friend concludes, would she like to comment on the ability of NHS Logistics to expand its capacity? We have been led to believe that the commercial directorate is considering that as an option for future operations. To meet the demands of the NHS, capacity will need...

: Before my hon. Friend concludes, would she like to comment on the ability of NHS Logistics to expand its capacity? We have been led to believe that the commercial directorate is considering that as an option for future operations. To meet the demands of the NHS, capacity will need...

: As I understand it, NHS Logistics has dealt with that in its plans. It would be able to expand and it has built into its plans the need for additional warehousing. The original report suggested that it should reduce the number of its distribution centres to six or seven,...

: As I understand it, NHS Logistics has dealt with that in its plans. It would be able to expand and it has built into its plans the need for additional warehousing. The original report suggested that it should reduce the number of its distribution centres to six or seven,...

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Judy Mallaber) on securing—by the skin of her teeth—this important Adjournment debate, which covers a number of constituencies, on arriving right on time and on delivering such an excellent and eloquent dissertation on the reasons why we are here this...

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Judy Mallaber) on securing—by the skin of her teeth—this important Adjournment debate, which covers a number of constituencies, on arriving right on time and on delivering such an excellent and eloquent dissertation on the reasons why we are here this...

: My hon. Friend talks about increased costs to the NHS, but does he agree that if hospital trusts are not satisfied with the charges that NHS Logistics make to their hospitals they will go elsewhere? They have the ability to do that now, and most of them do not...

: My hon. Friend talks about increased costs to the NHS, but does he agree that if hospital trusts are not satisfied with the charges that NHS Logistics make to their hospitals they will go elsewhere? They have the ability to do that now, and most of them do not...

: I would argue that, as the NHS Logistics Authority is running efficiently—when I first started investigating, I was prepared to be told that it was not efficient, but everything that we have seen makes us think that it is—I would want clear reasons for making a change spelled out...

: I would argue that, as the NHS Logistics Authority is running efficiently—when I first started investigating, I was prepared to be told that it was not efficient, but everything that we have seen makes us think that it is—I would want clear reasons for making a change spelled out...

: TNT was obviously some way down the list, because it is not mentioned on the front page. It is not even on the shortlist. The judges recognised NHS Logistics as"““the team who has created or developed the most outstanding supply chain in the country. It is the ‘best of...

: TNT was obviously some way down the list, because it is not mentioned on the front page. It is not even on the shortlist. The judges recognised NHS Logistics as"““the team who has created or developed the most outstanding supply chain in the country. It is the ‘best of...

: Is my hon. Friend aware that Exel, which runs the Bridgwater site, and TNT, which he said was beaten by NHS Logistics for an award, are among the last three bidding consortiums? We know about TNT only because—perhaps inadvertently—it told its staff. Does he share my concern that Ministers...

: Is my hon. Friend aware that Exel, which runs the Bridgwater site, and TNT, which he said was beaten by NHS Logistics for an award, are among the last three bidding consortiums? We know about TNT only because—perhaps inadvertently—it told its staff. Does he share my concern that Ministers...