§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list any areas within his Department that have been identified since 18 November(a) by individuals or organisations from the private sector or (b) otherwise as possibly suitable for market testing and contracting out; and what steps are being taken to prevent any non-governmental organisations successfully tendering to carry out work currently undertaken by civil servants facing a conflict of interest between the public interest requirement of this work and other commercial activities they are involved in or other clients they represent.
§ Mr. MaudeA study to determine the most promising areas for market testing within the Department is not yet complete. Guidance on the ethics of conducting business with the private sector is contained in the Treasury's public competition and purchasing units guidance—CUP No. 16 —which has been circulated to Departments.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the individuals or organisations from the private sector who have been involved since 18 November 1991(a) in determining areas within his Department for market testing or contracting out or (b) who have advised him of areas that should be market tested or contracted out to market consultants; the total fees or other costs to date charged to his Department by them and the full costs likely to be charged.
§ Mr. MaudeFollowing the evaluation of proposals from six firms, Touche Ross has been appointed to provide the private sector input to the study being undertaken to determine the scope for further market testing in Treasury in accordance with the White Paper "Competing for Quality" (Cm 1730). Information on the level of fees charged is commercially confidential.