§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contracts his Department, his agencies and the Cabinet Office have with Serco Ltd.; what is the current cost; when each contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [26640]
§ Mr. WillettsMy Department has two contracts with Serco Ltd., one for the provision of office services and another for the provision of a technical helpline. The Department also has an enabling contract for the provision of security-related maintenance of royal property with Serco Services (Scotland) Ltd. The annual cost of the contracts is some £800,000. The expiry dates for all these contracts is 31 March 1997, with the Department having the option to extend them. There are no penalties involved should the Department seek early termination.