§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to contract out operational support services of the Metropolitan police; and what conditions are being placed on the contractors concerning their employees.
§ Mr. MacleanPolice forces do not contract out operational police duties. Support functions, however, may be suitable for contracting out. The Commissioner informs me that the Metropolitan police contracted out catering, cleaning, security guarding, building maintenance, vehicle repair and other support services to the value of more than £100 million in 1993–94.
The Metropolitan police has an extensive programme of market testing. Work valued at more than £110 million a year is being examined to see if greater value for money could be achieved if all or part of this work were undertaken by the private sector.
In certain cases, contractors are required to meet special security conditions.