§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1991; whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision or whether the service was contracted out; what was the name of the successful contractor where appropriate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BoswellThe Department has completed two market tests since November 1991. Its publications dispatch service has been contracted out to Westex Ltd.; the Department's library service has remained in-house.
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff in his Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost his Department since November 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BoswellThe Department's market testing programme is co-ordinated by six staff—1.5 full-time equivalent posts—who undertake this work within their 645W normal duties. Line management staff in the areas being market tested also contribute. The estimated cost of the programme, in direct staff costs and consultancy costs, since November 1991 is some £203,000.