§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of whether there are sections of the police service that could be operated by the private sector; and what proposals he has for any such initiatives.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend keeps under review value for money in the police service,708W including whether any tasks undertaken by police forces could be fulfilled by other agencies, but he has at present no proposals in this area.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what role he sees for market testing in the police service.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Government intend to extend compulsory competitive tendering to maintenance and repair of police motor vehicles and to cleaning of police buildings.