§ Sir Anthony Grantasked the Prime Minister what guidance is given to public bodies in receipt of public funds, in order to secure the effective, efficient and economical conduct of their affairs, on the use of the open insurance market for their insurance requirements.
§ The Prime MinisterWhere the arrangements for financing a grant-aided body are such that the cost of replacing lost assets would fall directly or indirectly on the Consolidated Fund, the body is advised not to undertake insurance, other than any insurance required by statute. However, if a body can show circumstances which necessitate or justify a departure from this advice, an exception will always be considered.
§ Sir Anthony Grantasked the Prime Minister what guidance is given to public bodies in receipt of public funds, in order to secure the effective, efficient and economical conduct of their affairs, on the use of outside contractors for cleaning and maintenance work.
§ The Prime Minister'The Government's policy is to encourage further use of private sector contractors by public bodies where this will increase their economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Guidance has been given to central Government Departments on redundancy and costing aspects of contracting out in general and, for contract cleaning, on cleaning standards, the form and operation of contracts, and the pay of cleaners employed by contractors.
Revised, and fuller, guidance is being prepared for issue to central Government Departments; and detailed guidance will shortly be issued for the NHS by my right hon. Friend. Local authorities operating a direct labour works organisation are required by the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 to put a proportion of their work to competitive tender.