HC Deb 12 June 1996 vol 279 cc158-9W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make the payment of housing benefit and council tax benefit in the areas of local authority work to be subject to compulsory competitive tendering. [31972]

Sir Paul Beresford

Our proposals for changes to the framework for compulsory competitive tendering for professional services includes a proposal to raise the percentage of financial services work which must be exposed to competition from 35 per cent. to 65 per cent., and limit the availability of exemptions from CCT for authorities which cannot meet that requirement without exposing benefits work to competition. The legal definition of financial services work includes benefits work and relevant authorities may well choose to expose this work to competition in order to meet their competition requirements.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has in the event of private sector management of the payment of housing and council tax benefits to ensure(a) confidentiality of claimant information and (b) adequate training in the processing of claims. [31973]

Sir Paul Beresford

Statutory guidance on the conduct of compulsory competitive tendering—DOE circular 5/96—advises that it is for local authorities to specify the work to be done and the standards which must be met. Within this framework, it is for relevant local authorities to ensure that the confidentiality of claimant information is properly protected and that staff who are processing claims have appropriate training.

Further guidance in relation to housing and council tax benefit is contained within DSS circular HB/CTB A2/95.