HC Deb 18 October 1993 vol 230 cc131-2W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what management consultants have been used to advise on market testing and privatisation in the Prison Service; for what purposes; and at what cost.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what management consultants have been used to advise on market testing and privatisation in the Prison Service; for what purposes; and at what cost. Since the launch of the White Paper "Competing for Quality" the following consultants have been used to assist in our market testing work:

Coopers Lybrand Identification of potential Home Office and Prison Service candidates for testing.

Handley-Walker PLC Technical and evaluation advice for the market test of warehousing and distribution.

Further Education Staff College Advice on competitive tendering of prison education.

PDP Review of the operational specification used in the tendering of prisons management.

PA Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Blakenhurst and Manchester prisons.

LEK Development of an analytical framework for the selection of prisons for market testing.

Government Actuaries Department Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Manchester prison.

Mr. L Massey Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Blakenhurst and Manchester prisons.

Mr. G. Lister Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Manchester prison. The total cost of these contracts was £263,000.