§ Ms SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future provision of council leisure services with particular reference to outsourcing. [23832]
§ Mr. MacDonaldIt is the responsibility of local authorities to decide how best to provide services for their communities, and in particular to decide whether those services are provided directly by the council, or outsourced and supplied by a private sector contractor or another body. In making such decisions, councils must of course abide by any relevant legislation, including Regulations dealing with any relevant transfer of employees affected, and in particular have to bear in mind their statutory obligation to make arrangements to secure the best value for money in the services they provide.