§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has on the number of staff years allocated since 1992 to his Departmental market testing programme. [16978]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis Department has allocated some 306 staff years in support of the market testing programme since 1992.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what delays there have been to the commencement of contracts let to the private sector, following the market testing of accommodation and office services; and if he will make a statement. [16959]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis Department has awarded 23 accommodation and office services contracts to external contractors as part of the "Competing for Quality" initiative. Of the five that were subject to minor delays, three were at the request of the Department.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which firms have requested and received permission to delay the commencement of the provision of contracted-out services to his Department; and what were(a) the reasons for each delay and (b) the financial penalties imposed on each firm. [16960]
§ Mr. Roger EvansTwo companies have requested and received permission to delay the provision of some accommodation and office services to the Benefits Agency. Procord and BET both experienced unexpected staffing difficulties and payments have been adjusted accordingly.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what extra costs his Department incurred over the past 12 months as a result of private sector companies that were unable to provide contracted-out services at the scheduled contract start date. [16961]
§ Mr. Roger EvansNone. The prices for five contracts have been adjusted to take account of minor delays.