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Local Government: Suffolk

Baroness Scott of Needham Market asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will instruct the Boundary Commission to consider a unitary county option for local government in Suffolk. [HL826]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): We will be requesting the Boundary Committee for England to advise whether there is a unitary arrangement for Ipswich and the whole or part of the surrounding area that would deliver the outcomes sought by the Government. It will be for the committee to determine what, if any, solution to propose.

NHS: Supply Chain

Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the period of contract and remit for the NHS Supply Chain; and [HL1000]

What savings NHS Supply Chain expects to make over its contract period; and what savings have been achieved so far. [HL1001]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The agreement for National Health Service Supply Chain

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to provide procurement and logistics services for the use of the NHS commenced on 1 October 2006 and runs for 10 years. There is an option to extend for a further five years, subject to the agreement of both parties. In addition to the remit to provide procurement and logistics services, NHS Supply Chain will grow sales and expand the range available to the NHS over the 10-year term.

NHS Supply Chain expects to make savings for the NHS in excess of £1 billion over the 10-year contract period. These savings grow exponentially over the period as more contract renewals take place and sales grow. At the end of the first year, savings to the NHS are £9 million compared to the year 1 target of £1 million.

Post Office: Advertising Campaign

Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Jones of Birmingham on 10 December (WA 14), and the letter from Mr Alan Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd, dated 11 December, how much the Post Office paid for (a) the creative costs for its share of the “people's Post Office” campaign; (b) how much each celebrity appearing in the campaign was paid; and (c) what is the advertising budget for the campaign. [HL1025]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office & Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Lord Jones of Birmingham): This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. Alan Cook, the managing director, has been asked to reply direct to the noble Lord. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Jones of Birmingham on 10 December (WA 14), and the letter from Mr Alan Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd, dated 11 December, how much Royal Mail paid in creative costs for its share of the “people's Post Office” campaign run by Post Office Ltd. [HL1026]

Lord Jones of Birmingham: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd. I have asked Alan Cook, the managing director of Post Office Ltd, to co-ordinate a reply direct to the noble Lord. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

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