§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to select a Home Office function for market testing.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe Home Office approach to market testing accords with Government policy as set out in the White Paper "Competing for Quality: Buying Better Public Services", Cm 1730. Priority is being given to market-testing activities where the costs are substantial and it seems likely that comparable services could be provided satisfactorily by external suppliers under contract.