§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for the years 1978 to 1984, the charge to the Civil Service Superannuation Vote arising from non-industrial civil servants taking early retirement or being made redundant; and if he will give bibliographical references to the published sources used.
§ Mr. BrookeDetailed costs are not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly with the information that we have.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can identify the per capita cost of (i) early retirement and (ii) redundancy in the non-industrial Civil Service, for the years 1978 to 1984; and how the Government calculate whether any proposal to substitute contracted labour for Civil Service manpower will be cost-effective after taking account of the transitional expenses.
§ Mr. BrookeDetailed costs are not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly with the information that we have.
It is Government policy to transfer work out of Government Departments whenever this is commensurate with sound management and good value for money for the 334W taxpayer. Departments have been advised that, when considering contracting out a service to the private sector, they should compare out-house and in-house costs taking into account all costs to the Exchequer. These include transitional superannuation and redundancy costs in addition to contractors' charges and administrative costs. They are also advised to consider the problems that might arise if they become tied to a monopoly supplier.