HC Deb 21 January 1982 vol 16 cc402-3
8. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the privatisation scheme of domestic services in police training establishments.

Mr. Mayhew

Contracts have been let for the provision by the private sector of housekeeping, catering and security services at three Home Office residential training establishments, including the police training centres at Bruche and Chantmarle, from 1 April 1982. Studies are in hand of the scope for privatisation at other Home Office residential training establishments.

Mr. Dormand

Is the Minister aware of the complete opposition expressed to this policy by the 10 counties which constitute the North-Eastern police authority committee? Would it not mean a loss of yet more jobs? Are the trade unions being consulted? Is it a fact—I gather from what the Minister said that it may be—that the policy is being extended to other Home Office residential establishments? Why do not the Government abandon such nonsense and solve the real problems of the country?

Mr. Mayhew

The answer is because savings of a substantial order have already been identified in the three establishments to which I have referred—£300, 000 annually in those three. The trade unions and all other interested parties are being consulted. About 160 Civil Service posts are being saved in the three establishments, but in two of those the greater part of the jobs being offered by the private contractor have already been offered to existing staff. There are proposals to extend the scheme but these are in the study stage at present.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

Will my hon. and learned Friend invite all those who oppose privatisation to visit Southend-on-Sea where, by a policy of privatisation, we managed to cut our rates last year and save the ratepayers £500, 000?

Mr. Mayhew

I should think that that would be a salutary experience for all those who oppose privatisation. They really have to explain why the taxpayer should pay for jobs that are not needed and can be carried out more economically by the private sector.

Mr. Skinner

Will the Minister bear in mind, with specific reference to Southend, that as a result of the problems during the winter the wonderful scheme that was set up under a privatised system there has now run into the same sort of trouble as all local authorities encounter with their direct labour forces when they have to combat the kind of weather that we have been having? Is he aware that the private contractors have submitted to the council another massive bill that was not included in the original estimate?

Mr. Teddy Taylor

That is not true.

Mr. Mayhew

My hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) was inviting those who opposed privatisation to pay a visit to Southend, which would be an agreeable experience for any purpose. I do not doubt that if it snows in Southend that must cause equal difficulties to those caused when it snows in Derbyshire. There is, of course, a different Member of Parliament.