HC Deb 16 January 1996 vol 269 cc530-1W
Mr. Austin-Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the possible redundancies within the Army Technical Support Agency if printing and distribution of technical documents and publications are privatised; and if he will make a statement; [9611]

(2) what assessment he has made of the security implications of contracting out the non-core activities of the Army Technical Support Agency; and if he will make a statement; [9612]

(3) what further plans he has for privatising non-core activities of the Army Technical Support Agency; [9613]

(4) what assessment he has made of the number of redundancies that will occur in the Army Technical Support Agency directorate of technical services at Woolwich as a result of current privatisation plans; [9614]

(5) what assessment he has made of the benefits of market testing or contracting out the printing and distribution of Ministry of Defence technical documents and publications. [9610]

Mr. Soames

These are matters for the chief executive of the Army Technical Support Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from J. R. Prince to Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 16 January 1996: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS—ARMY TECHNICAL SUPPORT AGENCY I am replying to five questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about Army Technical Support Agency (ATSA) business as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the ATSA. Question: What assessment has been made of the possible redundancies within the ATSA if printing and distribution of technical documents and publications are privatised? Answer: The next exact number of redundancies which will result from contractorisation of printing and distribution of technical documentation is the subject of an on-going internal study, the results of which are still awaited. The Trade Unions have been advised accordingly and I will ensure that they and yourself are informed of the outcome as soon as possible. Question: What assessment has been made of the security implications of contracting out the non core activities of the ATSA? Answer: At present the only ATSA activity with security implications subject to contractorisation considerations is that of printing and distribution. Approximately 1% of the work has security implications. Potential contractors will only be considered providing they meet the MODs security requirements. Question: What further plans has CE ATSA for privatising non core activities of the ATSA? Answer: The current ATSA Competing for Quality (CFQ) programme, which includes all aspects of Technical Documentation and Publications, and site management services, is ongoing and may lead to further contractorisation. Any additional proposals will be consulted in the normal manner. Question: What assessment has been made of the number of redundancies that will occur in the ATSA Directorate of Technical Services (DTS) at Woolwich as a result of current privatisation plans? Answer: The exact number of redundancies resulting from the contractorisation of printing and distribution of technical documentation is the subject of an on-going internal study, the results of which are still awaited. The Trade Unions have been advised accordingly and I will ensure that they and yourself are informed of the outcome as soon as possible. Question: What assessment has been made of the benefits of market testing or contracting out the printing and distribution of MOD technical documents and publications? Answer: The ATSA study into the future of printing and distribution of MOD technical publications concluded that no work should be undertaken on the market testing option as the value of the ATSA print and distribution package is well below the recommended market testing threshold of £5M. This, coupled with the cost of having to collocate the unit as part of the ATSA restructuring programme, if the in-house bid won, made the market testing option non-viable.