HC Deb 18 November 1992 vol 214 c200W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have so far been seconded to work in the market-testing unit in his Department; and how many more secondments are planned.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

There are presently 27 members of staff in the Home Office market-testing unit and three in the prison service market-testing section. It is planned to increase staff numbers to 54.5 in the market-testing unit and seven in the prison service.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of his Department's operations will be subjected to market testing during financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Market testing within the Home Office will be taking place in the following areas with a view to a decision by September 1993:

  • Accommodation and office services
  • Computer services
  • Internal audit
  • Pay services
  • Police National Computer (Hendon datacentre)
  • Prison service:
    • College, training and facilities management
    • Computing services
    • Court escorts
    • Dog service
    • Education
    • Prison establishments
    • Warehousing, distribution and fleet management

The future programme is under consideration.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the budget for the market-testing unit in his Department for the financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The budget for the Home Office market-testing unit is £1,143,000 in 1992–93 and £1,260,000 in 1993–94. That for the prison service market testing section is £70,000 in 1992–93 and £190,000 in 1993–94.