§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of state for Employment what consultation there has been with Health and Safety Executive customers before the distribution arrangements for its free and priced publications were changed from HMSO to Prolog; if he will state the terms of the agreement with Prolog; and what market research was conducted on the working of the previous arrangement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythA review of distribution of the Health and Safety Executive's publications was carried out in 1993 by HSE and external consultants. This review focused on the existing arrangement with HMSO for the distribution of priced publications and other arrangements that existed for the distribution of free publications. The review did not involve consultation with customers. Following the review and an open tender, HSE decided that its customers could be accessed more satisfactorily and economically through a single contract with Prolog for warehousing, distribution and direct mail services. The contract with Prolog is for a three-year period from 4 October 1993.