HL Deb 03 December 1996 vol 576 cc45-6WA
Lord Taylor of Warwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have for the future of the Security Facilities Executive following the privatisation of its custody services business next year.

Baroness Trumpington

The Government intend to set up a new agency from 1st April 1997 comprising the Government Car Service (GCS) and the InterDespatch Service (IDS), which provide secure transport and mail services. The chief executive will be recruited by open competition. These businesses will be financially separate but will operate within one agency.

From 1st April the Special Services Group (SSG), which provides advice and technical security services to government departments and other public sector customers, will then be the sole remaining business of Security Facilities Executive (SAFE). From this date I intend that it will continue as an agency of the Office of Public Service. The precise scope of its work is to be determined in the light of a study of its services and the related interests of other government departments.

The staff of SAFE and the customers of the three businesses will be consulted very carefully about the implementation of these changes.