HC Deb 17 November 1992 vol 214 c154W
Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what will be the cost of the market testing department in the Health and Safety Executive when it is fully staffed.

Mr. McLoughlin

The salary cost of the market testing section which the executive plans to have in place are expected to be around £180,000 in a full year at 1992 costs.

Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost of the consultant assisting the director general of the Health and Safety Executive in compiling his report on market testing; how he was appointed; and what was his previous occupation or employer.

Mr. McLoughlin

The consultant is a partner with Touche Ross and has extensive experience of market testing in the public sector, both in central and local government. He was appointed under HSE's normal procedures, following an invitation to tender and a personal interview. HSE followed the guidance on the ethics of conducting business with the private sector contained in the Treasury public competition and purchasing unit publication—CUP16 in appointing him. I regard his rate of remuneration as commercial in confidence.

Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the business case for the Health and Safety Executive FOCUS computer system will he placed in the Library and made public.

Mr. McLoughlin

The FOCUS business case is a working document prepared by the Health and Safety Executive for internal use to support the proposed introduction of the FOCUS computer system and not for publication.