HC Deb 22 November 1985 vol 87 cc316-7W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the annual sales and numbers employed by the Crown Suppliers for each of the past five years.

Sir George Young

This information is included in the Crown Suppliers' annual report and accounts for 1984–85, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons Library. The details are as follows:

1980–81 £000 1981–82 £000 1982–83 £000 1983–84 £000 1984–85 £000
Sales 207,290 205,138 220,960 228,329 240,315
Staff numbers in post at 31 March 3,007 2,134 1,981 1,980 1,933

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the names of the review team considering the future of the Crown Suppliers and the sources of external expert advice.

Sir George Young

The members of the review team were:

  • Miss E. C. Turton, Cabinet Office
  • Mr. A. A. Carter, Cabinet Office
  • Mr. R. J. Meadows, Her Majesty's Treasury
  • Mr. N. L. Gregory, The Crown Suppliers
  • Mr. P. S. Mundy, The Crown Suppliers

During the course of the review, the team obtained external advice from 10 private sector firms which are suppliers to the Crown Suppliers, 10 public sector organisations which are customers, and three major private sector organisations which have large purchasing departments.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report of the review team considering the future of the Crown Suppliers.

Sir George Young

The report was sent to my right hon. Friend on 11 November.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations have been held with the staff of the Crown Suppliers as part of the review of the organisation's future; and what response they have made.

Sir George Young

During the review, the team consulted the Departmental Whitley council trade union side and the joint consultative committee trade union side. The former submitted a paper to the team.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many (a) nationalised industries, (b) local authorities and (c) other public sector bodies are currently customers of the Crown Suppliers.

Sir George Young

The Crown Suppliers have provided goods and services during the last year to 14 nationalised industries, 83 local authorities and 550 other public sector customers, in addition to their main business with central Government Departments.