HC Deb 27 July 1993 vol 229 c755W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1988 were not applied.

Mr. John M. Taylor

Whether or not TUPE applies in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractor's own proposals for carrying out this work. Since November 1991, the Lord Chancellor's Department has completed market tests for the professional services required to manage its accommodation and development of new court buildings, and the internal audit function. None of these services or functions has attracted TUPE. A list of services and functions contracted out outside the Department's market testing programme is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in the Land Registry, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1988 were not applied.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The hon. Member's question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of Her Majesty's Land Registry is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. John McAllion, dated 26 July 1993: As Chief Executive it is my responsibility to answer questions on operational matters concerning HM Land Registry. Consequently, the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question to him concerning contracted out services in HM Land Registry. Since November 1991, there have been no services or functions carried out by Land Registry staff which have been contracted out. Market Testing exercises are currently being carried out in which the TUPE regulations may apply once the successful bid has been identified. I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the House Library.