§ 4. Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further plans he has for controlling resources in his Department following the "Report on Financial Management in Government Departments".
§ Sir Keith JosephFurther work in hand to improve the effective use of resources in the Department includes the application of new office technologies, efficiency studies of common service operations and the development of a financial management information system for the Department's running costs.
§ Mr. ThurnhamDoes my right hon. Friend agree that there is scope for the privatisation of services controlled by his Department?
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Department has already contracted out its cleaning services. Perhaps I can amend my hon. Friend's suggestion and say that there is plenty of scope for further privatisation in the local authorities' education services.