§ Mr. GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of private security firms currently employed by his Department, the number of employees for each firm on the contract, the total value of each contract and the total value of all contracts for each financial year since 1984–85.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Department currently employs two private security firms. The firm guarding our London premises employs a total of seven staff on our sites. The firm protecting our Darlington offices employs one guard.
Based on 1990–91 financial year figures, the London contract is worth £120,061 per year, and the Darlington contract £32,600 per year.
Security guards were first employed in Darlington on 1 November 1984, and in London on 1 December 1987. The value of all contracts for each financial year since 1984–85 are as follows:
493W
Darlington £ London £ Total £ 1984–85 7,416 — 7,416 1985–86 22,987 — 22,987 1986–87 23,663 — 23,663
Darlington £ London £ Total £ 1987–88 24,792 4,265 29,057 1988–89 28,273 88,655 116,928 1989–90 30,802 109,974 140,776 1990–91 32,640 120,018 152,658