HC Deb 09 August 1972 vol 842 cc431-2W
Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contractors have succeeded in obtaining contracts for office cleaning in his Department in the last five years; whether he will publish their names; and how many firms tendered.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

In my Department, office cleaning contracts may be placed on a local basis. The information requested is therefore not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the annual percentage increase in contract prices for cleaning his Department's offices in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971; and how this compares with the annual percentage wage increase of maintenance staff actually employed by his Department.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual saving to his Department by employing contractors to do office cleaning instead of employing cleaners as part of his staff.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Estimates are not made on this basis. Each building is looked at separately and once a decision has been made on the method of cleaning to be employed, records of alternative costs are not maintained.

When any contracts made come up for renewal the position is reviewed.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the latest annual expenditure of his Department on office cleaning done by outside contractors.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The expenditure for 1971–72 on office cleaning done by outside contractors for the offices of my Department for which contracts were centrally negotiated was £28,142. Information in regard to other offices of my Department is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

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