§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the individuals or organisations from the private sector who have been involved since 18 November 1991(a) in determining areas within the department for market testing or contracting out or (b) who have advised him of areas that should be market tested or contracted out to market consultants; the total fees or other costs charged to the department by them to date and the full costs likely to be charged.
§ Mr. David HuntCoopers and Lybrand Deloitte has been engaged to help the Department draw up its forward programme of market testing. The amount of its fee is commercially confidential information.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list any areas within his Department that have been identified since 18 November(a) by individuals or organisations from the private sector or (b) otherwise as possibly suitable for market testing and contracting out; and what steps are being taken to prevent any non-governmental organisations successfully tendering to carry out work currently undertaken by civil servants facing a conflict of interest between the public interest requirement of this work and other commercial activities they are involved in or other clients they represent.
§ Mr. David HuntThe study to identify potential market testing candidates is not yet complete. My Department observes the guidance on the ethics of conducting business with the private sector which has been prepared by the Treasury's competition and purchasing unit.