§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Empoyment 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. JacksonA study to determine the most promising areas for market testing within the Department is not yet complete. The Department follows the guidance on the ethics of conducting business with the private sector contained in the Treasury's public competition and purchasing unit's guidance—CUP No. 16.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the individuals or organisations from the private sector who have been involved since 18 November 1991(a) in determing areas within the Department for market testing or contracting out or (b) who have advised of areas that should be market tested or contracted out to market consultants; the total fees or other costs charged to the department by them to date and the full costs likely to be charged.
Mr. JacksonTwo companies have been used by this Department in considering areas for market testing or contracting out, namely Ernst and Young, chartered accountants and Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte. The fees agreed with these organisations for their services are commercially confidential.