§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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.
§ Miss WiddecombeMarket tests for the following services have taken place:
Travel services
A contract for a new national travel service to this Department and the Department of Health was awarded to Wagons-Lits in January 1993.Facilities management and the provision of office services at Quarry House, the Department's new headquarters building in Leeds shared with Department of Health.
There was no existing in-house provision, but in-house bids were made for office support services. The contract was awarded to Manpower UK Ltd in June 1992.Cleaning services for North Fylde Central Offices, Norcross, Blackpool.
- Contract awarded to Care Cleaning Services in April 1992.
Building maintenance and works. Contracts for services previously provided by Property Services Agency (PSA) have been awarded to:
- Tarmac Construction in April 1992 and June 1992
- Henry Boot in May 1992
- Laing Management in April 1992
- The contract for services to the Fylde Benefit Directorate was won by PSA in April 1992.
Contributions Agency's microfilming and retrievals service.
- The contract was awarded to the in-house team in February 1993.
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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.
§ Miss WiddecombeCurrently there are some 150 staff assigned to the market-testing programme. The total cost since November 1991 has been some £1,480,000.