§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will privatise the office of the directorate of telecomunications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe Government's objective is to achieve better quality and value for money in the delivery of Government services by introducing competition. In line with this objective, the directorate now charges police forces and others for its services in direct competition with the private sector. DTELS, as it is now called, is also implementing a programme of extensive management change aimed at producing a viable commercial operation. Its position in the public sector will then be reviewed.