HC Deb 15 May 1995 vol 260 cc29-30W
Mr. Byers

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the replies received from the Official Receiver as part of the consultation process for the privatisation of the insolvency service; and if he will consult the official receiver on the detailed specifications for the contracting out of the insolvency service. [24154]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

A digest of official receivers' responses to the consultation process was published and laid in the Libraries of the House and the Vote Office on 3 May 1995. The views of the official receivers have been sought on the draft technical specification and their comments are being considered.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the potential change in public expenditure arising from the proposed privatisation of the insolvency service. [24375]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

It is too early to form any assessment of the effect on public expenditure of the possible contracting out of official receivers' functions. This information will not be available until final bids have been received from the private sector and compared to the benchmark costs of the service. The evaluation of tenders is due to be completed by early December 1995.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the privatisation of the insolvency service on fraudulent bankruptcy. [24377]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

Stoy Hayward reported that the contracting out of official receivers' case administration functions upon the making of an insolvency order would enable them to concentrate on their investigatory role.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the proposed privatisation of the insolvency service. [24376]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

Both my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I have received substantial correspondence concerned with contracting out certain of the official receiver's functions; originating from official receivers staff, members of the public, and members of professional bodies. The official receivers, as statutory office holders, have been formally consulted on proposals for contracting out.