HC Deb 27 November 1995 vol 267 cc432-3W
Mr. Touhig

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what considerations underlay his decision that a private sector organisation would be better equipped to deliver a specific Patent Office service; what will be the performance standard required; and if he will list the required criteria for the award other than value for money. [2099]

Mr. Ian Taylor

A number of Patent Office services are in the early stages of competitive tender to assess whether they can be better provided by the private sector. Any bids will be assessed against the benchmark of continuing in-house provision for higher quality or more cost-effective delivery. Additional criteria will be appropriate to the particular service but commonly include the bidder's understanding of the office's needs, the ability to bring innovative approaches to the delivery of the services, the continuity of services offered and commitment to developing a co-operative partnership with the DTI.

Mr. Touhig

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what systems are in place in the Patent Office to take account of benchmarking procedures when examining bids against in-house provision. [2097]

Mr. Taylor

In any contractorisation project, the Patent Office will draw up a benchmark based on the costs and quality of in-house provision. Guidelines have been developed to ensure that any benchmark is fair and soundly constructed.

Mr. Touhig

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what efficiency improvements have been agreed by staff and management in the Patent Office in regard to(a) benchmarking and (b) re-engineering; and what consultation procedures are in place with the trade unions. [2098]

Mr. Taylor

The Patent Office is constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency and quality of service through measures such as reorganisation of staff structures, re-engineering of work processes, and contractorisation. Staff and their trade union representatives are consulted at appropriate stages in the implementation of these measures.

Mr. Touhig

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the proposed cost of Patent Office services currently under consideration for contracting out. [2100]

Mr. Taylor

Areas of the Patent Office which are under consideration for contracting out are the office's information technology services, its marketing and awareness programme, its accommodation and office services, and the operations of its London front office. The overall annual costs of these are £5.888 million, £1.608 million, £2.056 million and £1.125 million respectively.