§ Mr. KynochTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his plans for the future of the building division of the Common Services Agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangThe Government are committed to a publicly funded health service with national health service units firmly within the public sector. However, health service managers should concentrate their skills on core activities of the NHS, using their expertise to seek best value for money in the provision of non-core services.
The work of the building division of the Common Services Agency (CSA) is a non-core activity and its ability to adapt and to develop the skills and services that it can provide in a changing world is constrained within the public sector. Following a review of the options for the future, my noble and learned Friend and I have agreed in principle that the opportunity should be taken to invite tenders for a management buy-out or from the private sector to take over the business as a going concern.
The CSA board has been asked to consider how this can be taken forward and to draw up an implementation plan. A prospectus will be issued by the board. When all bids received have been evaluated, the board will make recommendations to my noble and learned Friend.