HL Deb 27 January 1988 vol 492 cc628-9

2.47 p.m.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have anything to add to their Answer given on 7th December 1987 (HL Debates, col. 3) on the future of the Crown Suppliers.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, we hope to make an announcement about the future of the Crown Suppliers shortly.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that reply. If the financial return on capital of the Crown Suppliers is better than the Government call for, will that be a prime factor in deciding the future of this department? If it is not a main feature, ought it not to be?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, it is the Government's policy to consider whether all aspects of government activity really need to be in the public sector or could be run more efficiently and economically by private enterprise. As the Crown Suppliers operates as a trading fund it is possible that it could be run appropriately in the private sector.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, as one of the answers to a Question I asked in the House in December showed that the return on capital was in excess of what even the Government required, does this not make it appear that the decision is being delayed so that the Government can produce some squalid excuse for selling off a department that is a benefit both to the Government and to the taxpayer generally?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, we undertook to consider carefully representations made to us by staff representatives before coming to a decision. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met staff and union representatives in December. The issues they raised have needed to be examined in depth, so that we can be sure that a decision will be reached which takes all the important factors into account.

Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone

My Lords, would it not be wiser to wait for this statement to be made, rather than try to bring forward a smear campaign now?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble and learned friend. I did say in my original Answer that the decision would be made shortly.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, I rather regret the remarks made by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hailsham, about a smear campaign. I have been in your Lordships' House for four years and that is not a tactic to which I would stoop.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, does the Minister mean that the House must wait for the Government to make up their mind—if they have a mind—before it tries to influence them?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, the Government do have a mind.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, the question was when are they going to make up what they call a mind?

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