HC Deb 01 July 1992 vol 210 cc555-6W
Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give a date when he will announce the areas of work in his Department to be market tested; and whether all relevant information will be made publicly available.

Mr. Norris

Following the publication of the White Paper "Competing for Quality" in which a new market testing initiative was announced, the efficiency unit will announce the programme for all departments later this year. All relevant information will be made public.

Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total cost so far of the market testing initiative in his Department since November 1991.

Mr. Norris

The identified cost since November 1991, mainly consultants' fees, amounts to some £10,000. Other expenditure involving the salaries of civil servants is not kept in a suitable form and ascertaining what it might be could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of savings in his Department as a result of the market testing programme.

Mr. Norris

Since 1986–87 the total estimated savings made to date as a result of the market testing programme amount to approximately £7.3 million.