HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc400-1W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, for each of his Department's agencies, what market testing has been carried out into the services they provide and what were the results. [30121]

Mr. Michael Forsyth

For the period 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1996, the activities listed below have been reviewed under my competing for quality programme. Market testing is one of three main outcomes from competing for quality reviews. The others—strategic contracting out and internal restructuring—are also listed.

Activity Outcome
Scottish Prison Service
Capital building Strategic Contracting Out: on a project basis
Central store Market Test: won in-house
Maintenance and minor works (phase 1) at four establishments Market Test: three won in-house and one to an external contractor
Maintenance and minor works (phase 2) at six establishments Market Test: all won in-house
Maintenance and minor works (phase 3) at remaining nine establishments Strategic Contracting Out
Education services Market Test: won by various contractors
Historic Scotland
Monument conservation unit Internal restructuring
Gardeners at Holyrood palace and park Market Test: won in-house
HQ office support staff Internal restructuring
Patrolmen at Edinburgh castle Strategic Contracting Out
Scottish Agricultural and Science Agency
Animal house Market Test: won by external contractor
Security Market Test: won by external contractor

Activity Outcome
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
Marine surveillance Internal restructuring
Internal audit Strategic Contracting Out
Scottish Office Pensions Agency
Information technology Strategic Contracting Out
Messengers Market Test: won in-house
Registers of Scotland
Messengers/telephonist services Market Test: won in-house
Reprographic services Market Test: won in-house
Typing/proof reading Market Test: won in-house
Workflow functions Market Test: won in-house
Scottish Court Service
Capital works programme Strategic Contracting Out
Estate management services Strategic Contracting Out
Managing agents services: north, west and east regions Strategic Contracting Out
Security Strategic Contracting Out
Cleaning Strategic Contracting Out
Catering Strategic Contracting Out
Payroll services Strategic Contracting Out
IT hardware and software support Strategic Contracting Out
Scottish Record Office
Cleaning Market Test: won in-house
Reprographics Market Test: won in-house