§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise which was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29423]
§ Mr. HagueThe following areas of work have been contracted out without an in-house bid:
Benefit Agency:
Accommodation and Office services at the Quarry House site in Leeds;Travel services;Information Technology Services Agency:
584WService Delivery.An in-house bid was not invited for travel services or IT service delivery because it was considered that the private sector was better equipped to deliver these services, had a better understanding of the market needs and a capacity to invest in new technological support. In the case of accommodation and office services at Quarry house, Leeds, too few staff were prepared to re-locate with the work transferred from London to Leeds to be able to mount an in-house bid.
The Benefits Agency has decided to contract out quantity surveying work, in which four staff are currently employed.
The Contributions Agency has decided to contract out elements of estates work in which some 24 staff are currently employed. The CA considers that staff do not have the necessary technical, professional estates management expertise to compete with the private sector.