HC Deb 09 August 1972 vol 842 cc460-2W
Mr. Ashton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contractors have succeeded in obtaining contracts for office cleaning in his Department in the last five years; whether he will publish their names; and how many firms tendered.

Mr. Higgins

In the Departments for which my right hon. Friend is responsible office cleaning contracts are arranged locally. The information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the annual percentage increase in contract prices for cleaning his Department's offices in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971; and how this compares with the annual percentage wage increase of maintenance staff actually employed by his Department.

Mr. Higgins

This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual saving to his Department by employing contractors to do office cleaning instead of employing cleaners as part of his staff.

Mr. Higgins

No recent quantitative estimate has been made.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will allow facilities for trade union recruitment and organisation on the premises of his Department during hours in which cleaners are employed.

Mr. Higgins

Facilities for trade union recruitment and organisation are granted to recognised unions in respect of civil servants. My right hon. Friend's Departments are not responsible for such arrangements in respect of employees of contractors; but if any contractor asks for help in providing similar facilities on the Departments' premises in respect of his employees who work there, we will consider his request.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the latest annual expenditure of his Department on office cleaning done by outside contractors.

Mr. Higgins

In the Treasury, Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise Departments the annual expenditure on office cleaning done by outside contractors in the financial year 1971–72, the latest available figure, amounted to £1,077,713.