§ Mr. Ryderasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list measures to encourage competition being considered by his Department.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinMy Department already seeks to promote greater competition particularly in:
- i. the house transfer system. My Department is chairing an inter-departmental group as part of the initiative in this area announced by the Solicitor-General on 17 February at column 347–48.
- ii. professional fees. PSA is now concluding arrangements for the introduction of fee competition for professional services associated with their larger contracts.
- iii. direct labour organisations. A high proportion of the work of dlos is now statutorily required to be put out to competitive tender.
We are also studying hard what measures can be taken to speed up the process of contracting out other local government services.