§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for market testing of(a) the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency, (b) the Naval Repair Organisation and (c) the Queen Victoria School; and if he will make a statement. [34981]
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§ Mr. SoamesChief executives of all defence agencies are required as part of their business planning to seek efficiencies and to explore the scope for greater private sector involvement through competition. They are able to draw upon a range of efficiency-related measures, including market testing their activities by enabling commercial bidders to compete with the existing in-house suppliers. There are currently no plans for market testing in the three defence agencies in question, although other efficiency measures involving the private sector have been taken or are under consideration.