HC Deb 15 February 1993 vol 219 cc13-4
28. Mr. Congdon

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures he uses to assess the benefits of market testing and compulsory competitive tendering; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

In market testing, Departments assess savings in costs; and improvements in quality, such as reliability and timeliness. They monitor how these benefits are delivered in practice.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible for compulsory competitive tendering. The benefits of CCT are being assessed through a continuing programme of research commissioned by his Department.

Mr. Congdon

I welcome that answer. Given the success of the competitive tendering programme, especially in local government, will my right hon. Friend ensure that market testing in central Government delivers the savings that we desire?

Mr. Waldegrave

Yes, I can confirm that. I am sure that my hon. Friend will be pleased that when my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence recently announced what amounted to the saving of two regiments, he was able partly to attribute that to the savings that he has made in his Department as a result of market testing. That is a good example of market testing leading to proper savings.

Mr. Madden

What action are the Government taking to safeguard the confidence of taxpayers' records when sections of the Inland Revenue are privatised?

Mr. Waldegrave

Any privatisation in that Department or any other in which confidentiality is involved would need contracts to cover that. Major state secrets in the

defence industry have been possessed by the private sector for generations, and there is no essential difference elsewhere.

Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman

Will my right hon. Friend join me in regretting the insensitivity of Labour-controlled Lancashire county council, which has bought six Mercedes tipper trucks at a time when many jobs are on the line at Leyland Daf, which produces extremely good—

Madam Speaker

Order. The Chancellor of the Duchy is not responsible for a local authority's purchasing policy.

Mr. Waldegrave

I believe that that is the correct judgment, Madam Speaker, as always.

I have to say that there are many things about Lancashire county council that my hon. Friend and I find surprising, perhaps not least the one that she has mentioned.

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