§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities that have advised him of their intention to privatise any of their local services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThere is no formal requirement for local authorities to report such intentions to me, but I am aware informally of at least 40 authorities in England which are considering the possibilities of contracting out certain services to the private sector.