§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, by each Welsh local authority, each service which has been privatised or put out to tender and the savings which have been made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristAll local authorities in Wales have complied with the competition regulations introduced under part III of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and put out to tender as appropriate highways and sewerage work, new building works, new works and maintenance work. The Local Government Bill currently in the House of Lords will extend compulsory competition to refuse collection/street cleaning, building cleaning, school/welfare catering, other catering, vehicle maintenance and ground maintenance. In addition, the Government are considering extending competition to the management of local authority sport and leisure facilities.
Information on the savings made is not held centrally. However, from time to time selective information on savings is published in the Local Government Chronicle and the "Public Service Review".