§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Attorney-General whether any studies have been undertaken by or on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department into the privatisation or contractorisation of any services within its responsibilities.
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs required by the "next steps" initiative, the Lord Chancellor's Department considered the options of privatisation and contracting out in relation to the Land Registry and the Public Record Office when considering their suitability for executive agency status. In both cases the most appropriate way forward was found to be the granting of executive agency status. The Land434W Registry was established as an executive agency in July 1990 and the Public Record Office will follow in April 1992. The Lord Chancellor's Department has contracted out nearly all basic services such as cleaning and catering and, in addition, has contracted out the Registry of County Court Judgments and the investment manager function of the Public Trust Office.
Like other Departments, the Lord Chancellor's Department keeps under review the options of privatisation and contractorisation in respect of a wide range of its functions.