HC Deb 25 May 1995 vol 260 cc678-9W
Ms Hodge

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what work has been contracted out(a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what is projected for 1995–96. [25541]

Mr. Ian Taylor

The following areas of work have been contracted out under the "Competing for Quality" programme. For those areas where work is shown as under way in 1995–96, contracting out will be dependent on the Department or agency receiving bids which offer value for money compared with keeping the activity in-house.

(a) Areas of work contracted out by the Department in:

  1. (i) 1993–94
    • Central Training
    • Offshore Geology
    • Stationery Supply
    • Translation
  2. (ii) 1994–95
    • IT Services
    • Accounts Services Agency

Work is under way to contract out the following in 1995–96:

Services Management Division Building Management National Physical Laboratory

In addition, the following areas of work were contracted out in part under partnership arrangements between the private sector and in-house staff in 1994–95:

  • Mail and Messengers
  • Reprographics
  • Central File Store
  • Internal Audit
  • Oil and Gas IT Services

(b) Areas of work contracted out by agencies for which the Department is responsible in:

  1. (i) 1993–94
    • Patent Office
    • Various Support Services
  2. (ii) 1994–95
    • Radiocommunications Agency
    • Ships Radio Licensing

Work is under way to contract out the following in 1995–96:

  • Companies House
  • London Office and satellites
  • Edinburgh Office
  • Cardiff Office; range of activities
  • Insolvency Service
  • Official Receivers' Administrative Functions
  • Patent Office
  • Various support services
  • Radiocommunications Agency
  • Various Support Services