§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to privatise, contractorise or give agency status to the VAT computer facilities at Shoeburyness and Southend-on-Sea. [30511]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThere are no plans to privatise the Customs and Excise information systems facility at Shoeburyness and Southend-on-Sea or to give it full agency status.
The system development and service delivery aspects of the organisation were recently market tested. The in-house team was awarded the resulting service agreements because they demonstrated best value for money. The division that provides these services, and other functions in addition to those recently market tested, is an executive unit, in accordance with the Department's next steps strategy, but full agency status is not considered appropriate.