HC Deb 19 October 1998 vol 317 c989W
Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55172]

Mr. Kilfoyle

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) Cabinet Office has completed an assessment of the potential for using the Government Procurement Card (GPC) in the Department. It will be commissioning shortly a detailed study to determine the arrangements for the introduction of the card.
  2. (b) i. CCTA introduced the card on 1 October.
    • The Buying Agency has no immediate plans to use the card for the small number of domestic purchases.
    • It has actively encouraged acceptance of the card by the suppliers with whom it contracts on behalf of all government purchasers.
    • The other Cabinet Office Agencies are at various stages of the implementation process for the GPC. The extent of GPC usage will depend upon the outcome of the trials and reviews being undertaken by each Agency.
    • ii. The Central Office of Information will be introducing the GPC into an area this year on a trial basis. Further introductions will depend on the result of this trial.