§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the savings which would result if testing for tuberculosis in cattle by the veterinary profession were put out to general tender. [R] [122690]
§ Ms QuinThe Ministry is carrying out a pilot project in North West England to assess whether competitive tendering for the provision of TB testing and brucellosis work carried out by local veterinary inspectors would improve the value for money and the quality of the services provided. Contracts under the pilot project will be awarded shortly and will run for one year from 1 July. The service provided under contract in the pilot area will be compared with that provided under present arrangements before decisions are made on whether to extend competitive tendering for local veterinary inspection work. At this stage no estimate can be made of the savings which might result from the introduction of competitive tendering.