HC Deb 20 March 2002 vol 382 cc321-2W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the functions of his Department that have been (a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case. [42990]

Mr. Paul Murphy

Executive functions previously a matter for the Welsh Office have in general transferred to the National Assembly for Wales and so the Wales Office has undertaken no market testing or outsourcing since it was established in July 1999.

Between April 1997 and June 1999 the former Welsh Office undertook these exercises: market testing of the valuation services being provided by the Valuation Office agency in 1996–97. This led to the award of a three-year contract to DTZ Debenham Tie Leung; outsourcing of the Highways Directorate"s property management function in South Wales in 1997–98. This was achieved by a three-year contract with Messrs. Darlows estate agents of Newport outsourcing on an interim basis; outsourcing on an interim basis the work previously undertaken by Government property lawyers following their demise in 1999. This work was undertaken by Bissmire Fudge and Bond Pearce.

Figures for the savings achieved are not readily available as these contracts are now a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.