HC Deb 29 June 1994 vol 245 cc609-10W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether draft controls have been drawn up for privatisation of all or any part of the work done by the Insolvency Service.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

No decision has yet been taken on whether work currently undertaken by the Insolvency Service should be contracted out to the private sector. No draft controls have been drawn up.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the conclusions of the current review into the Insolvency Service by Stoy Hayward on whether the private sector can beat the Insolvency Service for value for money.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

Stoy Hayward is not due to complete its study until the end of July 1994.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much additional money is planned to be spent on the Insolvency Service in the financial year 1994–95.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

The 1994–95 running cost provision to the Insolvency Service provides an additional £2.66 million compared with its 1993–94 expenditure.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what level of checks is being imposed on files in the Insolvency Service before they are closed; what staff are doing the checking; and on what length of contract they are employed.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

All files are read by specialist, permanent staff before they are closed.