§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. McLoughlinA study to determine the most promising areas for market testing within the Department 63W 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 unit's guidance—CUP No. 16—which has been circulated to Departments.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. McLoughlinAfter considering a number of possibilities, Mr. Dick Walker, a senior executive with ICI, has been appointed on a short-term contract to assist in the development of market-testing targets for the Department and its agencies. The Department will reimburse Mr. Walker's ICI salary.