§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being 1052W 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. [55170]
§ Mr. MandelsonMy Department plans to introduce the Government Procurement Card through Company Barclaycard November 1998—initially in four pilot areas. Assuming a successful pilot, full roll out throughout the Department is planned from February 1999 onwards. Consultants undertook a study in the Department in the summer of 1998 that indicated that process savings of up to 53 per cent. could be made by adopting the card for minor purchases.
Of the Department's agencies, the Radio-communications Agency will introduce the GPC if the planned pilot demonstrates the value of doing so. The other agencies are awaiting the results of the central Department's adoption of the Card to assess its potential use in their areas.