§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all those services or functions that have been contracted out from his Department since November 1991 without market testing an in-house bid against external competition, with, in each instance, the successful contractor and the reasons for the decision to exclude an in-house bid.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSince November 1991, the following new services have been contracted out without market testing an in-house bid:
the courts may again take fully into account the whole criminal record of a convicted person when sentencing that person.
§ Mr. JackThe sentencing provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 were implemented on 1 October 1992. We are closely monitoring their effects, including the effects of section 29. In due course, we shall consider whether any amendments to the Act are necessary in the light of practical experience of its operation.