§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the proposed commercialisation of the Air Publications and Forms Store is likely to involve the removal of the work from the present Woolwich site.
192W
§ Mr. Ian StewartNo, although no decision has yet been taken on commercialisation.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what security arrangements will apply to any private contractor brought in to operate the Air Publications and Forms Store at its present Woolwich site.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe task being considered for commercialisation would be carried out under the supervision of MOD staff and the Department's normal physical security precautions would continue to apply, though the work would not involve material of a sensitive nature.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the present work measures productivity scheme was introduced at the Air Publications and Forms Store, Woolwich; what was the total cost of consultants' fees in drawing up the scheme; how many jobs were saved as a result of its introduction; what further job reductions have taken place since; and whether the scheme is still regarded as being cost-effective.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThere are three management productivity schemes at APFS; they were introduced in 1973. It is not possible without disproportionate cost to isolate the consultants' fees for these schemes from the total fees for productivity schemes throughout RAF support command. Following introduction of the APFS schemes, 73 posts were saved and there has been a further reduction of 29 posts arising from a reduced work load. All three schemes remain cost-effective compared with the position before they were introduced.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what charges for rent and other services will be made to any private contractor brought in to operate the Air Publications and Forms Store on its present Woolwich site.
§ Mr. Ian StewartNone, in accordance with the normal practice where a contractor performs a task on Ministry of Defence premises; but this practice will be reflected in the terms of the contract.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence how long a contract will be offered to any commercial firm invited to tender for the operation of the Air Publications and Forms Store, Woolwich; and what steps will be taken if a contractor fails to provide an acceptable level of service.
§ Mr. Ian StewartAny contract would be awarded for a period of five years initially. My Department would have satisfied itself that any potential contractor had the capability to provide the required level of service. There would, however, be power to terminate the contract at any stage if actual performance proved to be unsatisfactory.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the employees of any private contractor brought in to operate the Air Publications and Forms Store, Woolwich will be required to accept the same obligations in a transfer to war situation as the present directly employed staff.
§ Mr. Ian StewartAny contract would include a requirement for the contractor to respond to the needs of the Ministry of Defence during periods of tension, emergencies and hostilities.