§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many private security firms are employed by his Department or bodies associated with his Department; how many personnel are employed, at which locations, on what responsibilities and duties, and at what annual cost; what have been the comparable figures for each of the last three years; and what estimates he has made as to the likely figures for 1984.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinIt is Government policy to contract out services such as security guarding on non-sensitive sites when this is cost effective and makes good management sense.
The information requested in respect of my Department is as follows. There are six private security firms employed and 13 personnel at the following locations: Charles house, 375 High street, Kensington; Tollgate house, Bristol; 2–16 Church road, Stanmore; Yate, nr. Bristol; PSA Central Office for Wales, Gabalfa, Cardiff; 26 Kings road, Reading; Burtonwood, Cheshire; and south Ruislip.
They are employed in the safeguarding of buildings at a cost in 1983–84 of £227,000. The comparable figures for each of the last three years are: 1982–83 £200,800; 1981–82 £154,400; and 1980–81 £141,000. The estimate for 1984–85 is £227,350.
The number of locations has increased over the relevant period from four to eight and the transfer from directly employed labour has resulted in a significant saving in expenditure for the Department.
Information in respect of bodies associated with my Department is not available.