HL Deb 25 February 1997 vol 578 c83WA
The Viscount of Oxfuird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have for a Prior Options review of the Government Hospitality Fund and Lancaster House.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

In accordance with our Competing for Quality initiative, we are undertaking a review of the Government Hospitality Fund (GHF) and Lancaster House. The review will consider:

  1. (i) the functions and key outputs of, and the resources currently employed by, the GHF and Lancaster House;
  2. (ii) whether these functions are necessary;
  3. (iii) whether it would be appropriate and feasible to abolish, privatise or contract-out (with or without an in-house bid) some or all of these functions;
  4. (iv) ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of GHF within the current or restructured arrangements;
  5. (v) arrangements for departmental supervision; and will make recommendations to Ministers.

In order to help ensure that all options are considered fully, an interdepartmental advisory group will he established. Interested parties wishing to comment on government hospitality are invited to write by 17 March to:

Mr. D Broad

FCO

Room 4.2.5

1 Palace Street

London SW1E 5HE