§ Mr. JackTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which companies bidding to take over control of the administration of National Savings have indicated that they would be able to offer new work opportunities in the Blackpool area to any National Savings employees who might be deemed surplus to requirements at the time of their acquiring responsibility for National Savings administration. [13384]
§ Mrs. LiddellDetails of the information provided to National Savings by the four candidates for a private sector partnership are commercially sensitive at this stage and must remain confidential.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's long-term policy in respect of National Savings. [13162]
§ Mrs. LiddellOur policy is to find the Government's borrowing requirements as efficiently as possible. National Savings makes a valuable contribution to our funding strategy, and I expect it to continue to do so. I welcome the work which the Agency is doing to study the potential for greater efficiencies through improved marketing and the examination and possible involvement of a private sector partner in its operations.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he will take of local job-creation possibilities in deciding which company will take over the running of National Savings local administration in the Blackpool area. [13385]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe potential for creating new jobs to offset the anticipated continuing reduction in the Agency's manpower will be a key consideration as proposals for private sector involvement in the operations of National Savings are evaluated.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the conclusions of the study into the future accommodation requirements of National Savings. [13161]
16W
§ Mrs. LiddellA study of the potential for private provision of National Savings accommodation is being conducted in parallel with work to explore the scope for private sector involvement in National Savings operations. I would not expect final conclusions before the Spring of 1998.