§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
In connection with the White Paper on education and training published on 20th May 1991, which organisations do they anticipate might be qualified to tender for provision of the careers service and whether they will list the authorities referred to in para. 7.9 of volume 1 of the White 32WA Paper on education and training which have shown an interest in contracting out the careers service to the private sector.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Employment (Viscount Ullswater)It is premature to say which organisations might be qualified to tender to provide the careers service. My right honourable friend's intention is to legislate so that contracting out could be an option for 33WA consideration in appropriate circumstances. In the meantime my right honourable friend wishes to encourage local education authorities to join voluntarily with training and enterprise councils as partners in overseeing the careers services to help 34WA ensure that it remains responsive to local needs and conditions. I think it right now to concentrate on partnerships rather than on those individual authorities which acknowledge that contracting out might be a future option.