§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to keep the Common Services Agency's building division within the public sector;
(2) what discussions he has had with the Common Services Agency's board on future plans for the Common Services Agency's building division;
(3) if he will estimate the costs and savings that would result from privatisation of the Common Services Agency's building division;
(4) what plans he has for the future of the work force in the Common Services Agency's building division;
(5) what consultations he has had, or is planning to have, with those who are clients of the Common Services Agency's building division.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 9 May 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 25 March his agreement in principle that the opportunity should be taken to invite tenders for a management buy-out or from the private sector to take over the building division of the Common Services Agency. There has been no change in this position.
The board of the Common Services Agency has given regular consideration to the building division and its future. The board is taking forward the proposals for privatisation of the division. It is not possible to quantify the benefits to the NHS until the tender process has been completed and bids evaluated. The Common Services Agency will invite tenders for the division as a going concern. Staffing is therefore a matter for the successful tenderer.
The building division of the Common Services Agency has been fee earning and competing with private firms for NHS work for the past three years. It is not necessary to consult NHS clients who will continue to be able to obtain the appropriate service from the successful tenderer or from another commercial source.