§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list his Department's services which he is currently examining with a view to contracting-out to the private sector.
§ Mr. ButcherIn recent years the Department of Trade and Industry has contracted-out the majority of cleaning, laundry, catering, maintenance and security-guarding, and the position in the few examples which remain in-house is currently under review. Some financial appraisal casework and company accounts analysis has recently been market-tested; the export marketing research scheme is currently undergoing such testing; and the possibility of market testing some messengerial work is under examination.