§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have approached his Department for guidance regarding the disposal of public services such as refuse collection, park maintenance and so on to private firms; and what guidelines he has issued.
§ Mr. KingNone. Ministers have made clear the Government's conviction that there is scope for greater private sector involvement in the provision of public services, but it is for local authorities to make decisions in the light of their own circumstances. We are currently examining how we might help by, for example, making available information about central Government experience in this field.