§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress his Department has made towards market testing recruitment monitoring.
§ Mr. David DavisA draft invitation to tender for recruitment monitoring services has been drawn up. The approval of the Privy Council is currently being sought for a minor amendment to the civil and diplomatic service Orders in Council 1991 which will allow the Civil Service Commissioners to delegate to others their recruitment monitoring functions and thus to market test the operation. Subject to Privy Council approval, we hope to issue invitations to tender shortly.