HC Deb 10 May 1993 vol 224 cc306-7W
31. Mr. McAllion

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he has held with Civil Service unions concerning the impact of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 on the policy of market testing civil service jobs.

Mr. Waldegrave

My ministerial colleagues and I have meetings with the civil service unions from time to time to discuss the range of Government policies.

38. Mr. Duncan

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his Department will issue up-to-date figures for savings achieved by market testing of Government services.

Mr. Waldegrave

In previous years, savings arising from market testing have typically been around 25 per cent. of the original cost even where the activity has remained in-house. Savings from the programme for the period ending on 30 September 1993 are not yet available. When they are, I am sure that they will show significant savings in costs and improvements in quality, such as reliability and timeliness.