HC Deb 10 November 1992 vol 213 cc696-8W
Sir John Wheeler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his conclusions on the responses to proposals to extend competition to a wider range of local authority services set out in the consultation paper "Competing for Quality", published in November 1991, as it will affect the police and fire service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

As my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment has today announced, the Government have come to the conclusion that, while some amendments to the original proposals are necessary, compulsory competition is the best way of securing greater efficiency and cost savings in the provision of local authority services, while guaranteeing a high standard of services to the local taxpayers. The police and fire services will be playing a part in the process.

The fire service has unique front-line vehicles which carry specialist pumping, hydraulic and mechanical equipment. The maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment is synchronised in order to ensure operational efficiency. I take the view that they should remain exempt from compulsory competitive tendering for the present, but, in order to encourage wider competition, I intend that all brigades, with the exception of those whose maintenance staff also have firefighting duties should be required to market test vehicle and equipment maintenance over the next three years. The whole of each brigade's vehicle fleet will be included in order to provide a realistic assessment and to identify those contractors best placed to offer the comprehensive range of services required. I intend to discuss with the fire authorities how this can best be taken forward to ensure that operational efficiency is maintained and in 12 months I intend to announce targets in this area.

The support services for the fire service which are provided by the fire authority will, of course, fall to be considered within the framework of the arrangements for construction-related and corporate services set out by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

We have consulted widely within the police service and local authority associations about the extension of compulsory competitive tendering to police vehicle maintenance and the cleaning of police buildings. We have received a number of constructive replies outlining concerns over security and quality of service.

I have taken these concerns seriously. I wish to ensure the widest possible application of compulsory competitive tendering that is consistent with operational efficiency and security requirements. An order will be made under the Local Government Act 1988 extending the application of compulsory competitive tendering to 40 per cent. of the annual value of police vehicle maintenance and repair. A period of three years will be allowed to evaluate the effects of this provision, after which I shall decide on further progress. An order will also be made extending compulsory competitive tendering to 90 per cent. of the annual value of cleaning police buildings. I anticipate that the first tenders will be sought in 1994–95.

I also intend to extend compulsory competive tendering to corporate and construction-related police support services. I intend to engage in further consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association and the local authority associations on the detailed implementation of these proposals and the introduction of a new accounting framework.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will be introducing similar provisions for maintenance and repair of fire service vehicles, for maintenance of police vehicles and for cleaning of police buildings in Scotland. He will also consult on extension of compulsory competitive tendering to corporate and construction-related support services and on a new accounting framework.