HC Deb 14 May 1998 vol 312 c163W
Mr. Heppell

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has made a decision on the future of the Security Facilities Executive. [41926]

Mr. Kilfoyle

I have decided that SAFE is no longer a financially viable organisation, and that it should cease to be an executive agency from 1 July. From that date, its services will be provided from within the Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service), with a view, thereafter, to transferring SAFE's essential functions and associated staff to the other Government Departments as soon as it is practicable to do so. I also propose that over the next three years its remaining services should be run down. This process will be completed no later than 31 March 2001.

This decision is, I believe, the one which best meets my three criteria of:

  • maintaining the security requirements of customers;
  • safeguarding the interests of staff; and
  • ensuring that the principle of value for money is maintained.