HC Deb 07 March 1988 vol 129 c48W
Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the additional cost to the Government of contracting out work on the local office project to private consultants; and what information he has on rates of pay of those employed by Computer Sciences Corporation and Arthur Andersen and Company by reference to those of equivalent staff of his Department.

Mr. Portillo

The cost of the development work on the local office project being performed by private consultants is being met from within the Department's existing budgets. Although scales of fees have been negotiated between the Department and the two firms, it is not possible to provide meaningful comparisons with Civil Service scales, because of insufficient Civil Service staff with equivalent skills and ability to deliver to the same timescale, and the different terms of service which will apply.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken, or will be taken, to ensure that the work carried out by the Computer Sciences Corporation and Arthur Andersen and Company will be of the required quality to meet the needs of his Department.

Mr. Portillo

All local office project work performed by Computer Science Corporation and Arthur Andersen is subject to the established quality assurance procedures. These are designed to ensure that every product is delivered according to prior specification and will meet the user's requirements.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations have taken place with the Civil Service unions on the contracting out of work on the local office project.

Mr. Portillo

Civil Service unions have been regularly consulted and informed on contracting out work on the local office project at both departmental and local level.