§ Barbara FollettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in implementing
331Wthe recommendations of the Review of Civil Procurement in Central Government; and if he will make a statement. [117778]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithFrom 1 April 2000, the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) will be operational. Peter Gershon has been appointed Chief Executive and Brian Rigby deputy Chief Executive. The Chief Executive will be responsible to Treasury Ministers on both policy and executive matters. The OGC will include the Private Finance Policy Team, and staff dealing with Procurement Policy and Procurement Practice and Development.
On 1 April 2000 the OGC will inherit from the Cabinet Office responsibility for the Buying Agency (TBA), Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). Their Chief Executives will report to Peter Gershon. These new arrangements will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Government's £13 billion annual civil procurement budget by creating a single, unified operation at the centre to focus on high value added activities.
A Supervisory Board chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and constituting officials and external representatives will help ensure a coherent cross departmental approach to procurement and provide on-going top-level support and strategic direction to the OGC.