§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the cost comparisons carried out following his Department's decision to transfer direct cleaning work to contract cleaners included the payment of employer's national insurance in the direct cleaning cost; whether any allowance is being made for redundancy payments; and if so, what the redundancy payments are likely to be.
§ Mr. YoungerSeveral offices occupied by the Scottish Office are already cleaned under contract. No final decision has been taken to adopt this system for the remainder. Cost comparisons include an element for employer's national insurance contributions in the case of direct cleaning. The question of redundancy has not arisen so far and my Department are discussing the costings with the unions.