§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in her Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost her Department since November 1991; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleA market testing unit of two people has been set up to co-ordinate the Department's programme. A number of other staff working within the functional areas affected are spending part of their time on work associated with market testing.
Between November 1991 and the end of March 1993 it is estimated that the programme will have cost in the region of £830,000. This includes consultancy costs, staff costs and associated overheads.
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all the market tests that have taken place in her 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 she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleSince November 1991, the market testing of office and building services for the new buildings of Skipton house in London and Quarry house in Leeds (a joint DH/DSS building) has been completed. It has resulted in the award of the following service level agreements or contracts for services which had previously been provided wholly or mainly in-house in the Department's other buildings:
For Skipton house
- Facilities management—Procord Ltd
- Reception and conference room booking—In-house team
- Office support services—In-house team
For Quarry house
- Facilities management—P and O TFM Ltd
- Office support services—Manpower UK