§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list any areas within his Department that have been identified since 18 November 129W (a) by private 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. Leigh[holding answer 2 March 1992]: Studies to determine the most promising areas for market testing within the Department are 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—and the Department's own procurement and supply manual, which have been circulated to all purchasing units within the Department.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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 and the total fees or other costs to date charged to his Department by them and the full costs likely to be charged.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 2 March 1992]: The Department is establishing a review panel, including officials and representatives of the private sector, to identify the most promising areas for market testing in the Department. The first meeting of the panel will be held in the near future.