Property Repayment Services System

HC Deb 18 February 1987 vol 110 cc667-8W

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many locations are involved in the radical option under the property repayment services system; what is the maximum that can be spent; and whether the Property Services Agency may tender for the work.

Mr. Chope

The radical option of the property repayment services system applies on an experimental basis to 92 properties on the Government's civil estates. In these properties, the experimenting Departments involved, (the Department of Health and Social Security and the Department of Employment) may carry out minor new works costing up to £150,000 and maintenance jobs costing up to £100,000. The purpose of these experiments is to test the implications of enabling client departments to commission relevant works services direct from contractors or consultants without reference to the Property Services Agency.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many additional posts have been created in client departments arising from the property repayment services system.

Mr. Chope

Information on the creation of additional posts, if any, in client departments as a result of the property repayment services system is a matter for the individual Departments concerned.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the accounting and tender arrangements that accommodation officers must follow under the property repayment services system; and what are the arrangements that Property Services Agency staff must follow for comparable work.

Mr. Chope

The financial control systems set up by Departments in connection with PRS delegated works on the accommodation they occupy must remain a matter for the individual Department concerned and the accounting officers. PSA has, however, issued guidance on the general principles to be followed, in, for example, letting contracts for minor works, and on the agency's own practice in these matters, in the form of the booklet "Managing Works: A Guide for Accommodation Managers". I shall arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

Instructions for PSA's own staff on accounting and tender arrangements are contained in internal circulars and codes, compliance with which is ensured through the agency's internal audit and technical audit procedures.