§ Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those functions or parts of his Department which he has transferred, or is in the process of transferring, to the private sector.
§ Mr. John PattenThe following is a list of functions of the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments which have been contracted out or privatised since May 1979:
- Loans to farmers and fishermen.
- Tuberculosis testing (90℅).
- Certification of animals for export (with some exceptions).
- Minor watercourse maintenance (80℅).
- Some timber harvesting.
- Urban main drainage.
- 34 advance factories (sold to private industry).
- Finance for house purchases (Building society funds have replaced Housing Executive loans).
- Sale of publicly owned houses (substantial progress).
- Some joint public-private sector involvement in house building.
- Sale of publicly owned shopping centre to the private sector.
- Public shareholding (50℅) in Northern Ireland Carriers sold to private sector.
- All major road works and some minor works and maintenance.
- Most Health Service building design.
- Custodial services at Enterprise Ulster.
- Catering and most building and maintenance services for the police authority.
- Some cleaning services throughout the Civil Service.
- Further proposals are under consideration.