§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the extent and nature of proposed open government provisions to contracting-out procedures in Government Departments.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt has been this Government's established practice to ensure non-discrimination and fair competition in public procurement, as set out in administrative circulars issued by the central unit on purchasing in Her Majesty's Treasury. From December last year, EC rules, which in large part replicate United Kingdom best practice, were written into the United Kingdom legislation which will implement a further EC directive to ensure compliance throughout the EC.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consult the National Audit Office on measures to test the value-for-money considerations on any proposals to contract-out civil service work.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Comptroller and Auditor General has statutory powers to audit Government Departments and conduct value-for-money studies on the way they have used their resources in discharging their functions, which may include contracting out civil service work.