§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1991; whether 861W the result was the maintenance of in-house provision or whether the service was contracted out; what was the name of the successful contractor where appropriate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisTwo market tests have taken place in the Department of Transport since November 1991
1. Subject: Procurement and Storage of Protective Clothing. Service was contracted out. Contractor is Greenham Trading Limited.2. Subject: Bulk/High Speed Reprographic Services. Service was contracted out: a split award, the contractors are HMSO Reprographics and Multiplex Technics Limited.These services were examined and tenders invited under the procedures obtaining before the publication of the White Paper "Competing for Quality" in November 1991. It is likely that any remaining items from this original programme will be dealt with under the new procedures, including the in-house bid. None of the items included in the new programme, published in the citizens charter first report, has reached tender stage.
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost his Department since November 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe equivalent of eight full-time staff are assigned to the market testing programme. The approximate costs, including consultancies since November 1991 are £250,000.