Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which consultancy firms have been employed in market testing the UK Passport Agency; how much each has been paid; and which offices they are considering for contracting out. [7212]
§ Mr KirkhopeNo consultancy firms have been employed in market testing the UK Passport Agency. There are no plans for contracting out passport offices.
1199W
Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if staff in the Belfast UK Passport Agency office will be permitted to submit in-house bids for any areas which are under consideration for contracting out. [7210]
§ Mr. KirkhopeIf any areas of work in the Belfast passport office are considered suitable for contracting out it would not be appropriate for staff to submit in-house bids.
Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff(a) are currently employed in the UK Passport Agency Offices and (b) were employed 12 months ago. [7211]
§ Mr. KirkhopeThe UK employs a mixture of permanent staff and seasonal staff. The latter are either retained on part-year appointments or as casual employees. The number of seasonal staff in post varies according to demand for passports, which is abnormally high at present in anticipation of the abolition of the British visitor's passport from 1 January 1996. The information requested is as follows:
Permanent Part year Casual 30 November 1995 1,213.5 123.5 155.5 30 November 1994 1,269.5 36 21
Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many consultants have been employed to consider the contracting out of the UK Passport Agency Belfast Office; with what terms of reference; over what time period; to consider what functions of the agency; and how many staff were involved on each occasion. [7153]
§ Mr. KirkhopeThe UK Passport Agency has no plans to contract out the Belfast Office.