Government Car and Despatch Agency

HC Deb 27 October 1999 vol 336 cc913-4W

Mrs. Ann Cryer

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to review the Government Car and Despatch Agency. [96390]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The first review of the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) is due to be completed by the end of March 2000. I have decided that the Cabinet Office should now begin work on this review.

The review will consider the options for the future delivery of the Government Car and Inter Despatch mail services, taking account of the lessons of the Agency's past performance. The options are: continued agency status, contracting out, market testing, merger with another organisation, privatisation and abolition. Each option will be considered on its merits, and the preferred option will be the one that offers best value for money, taking into account the interests of the customers and staff of the Agency, and security issues.

Implementation of the review's recommendations and revision of the Framework Document (if appropriate) will follow.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the review of GCDA should contact David Smith at the Cabinet Office Agencies Unit, Room 206, Ashley House, 2 Monck Street, London SW1P 2BQ (Tel: [phone]/Fax: [phone]/ e-mail: [e-mail]) by 31 January 2000.