HC Deb 09 May 1994 vol 243 c43W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State, for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the use of private detective agencies and security companies by his Department.

Sir John Wheeler

The Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office have market-tested a range of services which includes security guarding. Eighteen security guarding companies were employed in Northern Ireland on contracts at a cost of £1,947,000 in 1993–94.

There are currently no contracts for private detective agencies.