§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to subject the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen to market testing.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 19 November 1992]: The registry will be market tested in line with the White Paper Cmnd 1730, "Competing for Quality", which set out the Government's intention to give new impetus to the drive for better value for money and improved service to the public.
The functions will be tested against the quality of service and value for money available from alternative sources and the tender process will follow the Department's normal rules for competitive tendering.
The existing staff at RSS will have the opportunity to put forward an in-house bid on the same basis and timescale as outside bidders.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy for market testing which involves any part of his Department or a body responsible to his Department to include the status quo as one of the options, against which any other options are to be measured before any decision is taken.
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§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 24 November 1992]: My right hon. Friend will follow the procedures for market testing Department of Transport functions set out in the White Paper, "Competing for Quality", (Cmnd 1730).