HC Deb 20 March 1997 vol 292 c866W
Sir Julian Critchley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to privatise the Army Base Storage and Redistribution Agency; and if he will make a statement. [20998]

Mr. Soames

There are no proposals at this present time to privatise ABSDA. However, as the hon. Member will be aware, ABSDA is required to make efficiencies and improve cost-effectiveness. To this end we have launched a programme of market testing under the Government's "Competing for Quality" initiative.

The CFQ programme embraces the activities of the three functional divisions of ABDSA which deal with vehicles and fuels, ammunition and stores. The programme is currently under way and its findings are as yet unknown but will be reported as soon as they are available.