§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1992 and indicate, in each case, whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision, or whether the service was contracted out.
§ Mr. SproatSince November 1992, my Department has contracted out a range of new central services, including mailroom services, minor maintenance, office cleaning, reprographics, security, central typing and secretarial cover. The Department has also contracted out the provision of computer equipment and new associated services.
Subject to a tendering exercise, the Historic Royal Palaces agency will contract out unskilled ground maintenance work at Hampton Court palace. The manning of vehicle entrances, ticket checking and security control room at the Tower of London has been contracted out and staff redeployed.
The other agency, the Royal Parks, is currently market testing building works services and estates management and an announcement on the outcome will be made shortly.