§ Mr. KynochTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the sale of the building division of the Common Services Agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangFollowing an invitation to tender, 41 companies including a joint in-house management team and company expressed interest. This resulted in seven bids and following further clarification of these and negotiations with the parties I am pleased to announce that the Common Services Agency has with my consent accepted the offer from W.S. Atkins. The result is a receipt of £250,000 plus VAT to be re-invested in health care in Scotland and the continuity of employment for around 100 staff who will transfer with their existing workload to their new employers on 1 December 1994. The transfer is subject to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and will be a clean break for the agency with no continuing liabilities and warranties to be underwritten by it.
I regard the outcome as in the best interests of the taxpayer, of the staff and for the NHS in Scotland.