§ 32. Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the current estimated savings by his Department for 1984–85 as a result of privatisation schemes.
§ Mr. RentonThe privatisation of the hydraulic research station of the Department of the Environment in 1982 will result in estimated savings of some £80,000 to the Overseas Development Administration in 1984–85.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also contracting out some cleaning services and this will be extended at the end of this financial year. This will result in savings in the long term. The Department will also be considering whether there are any other areas of work, including travel and canteen services in the Overseas Development Administration, which can be put out to contract.