Transfer of Property Services Agency and Crown Suppliers

Part of Orders of the Day — Property Services Agency and Crown Suppliers Bill – in the House of Commons at 7:45 pm on 12 February 1990.

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Photo of Mr Edward Leadbitter Mr Edward Leadbitter , Hartlepool 7:45, 12 February 1990

Some of them are so long past that I often have a sneaking suspicion that they enjoy their security too much to allow it to wither away. Nevertheless, one does not want to be too critical about dangerous situations. We must act responsibly.

Is there a case for privatisation? To put it another way, when we have satisfactory security in defence programmes throughout the United Kingdom, will we put security at risk if we privatise security at defence installations? That is a very good question, and the Minister should be able to answer it. The issue is not party political. Hon. Members have a common interest. We want to know whether, although there is a case for responding reasonably to high standards of security in the private sector, there is a case for widening it and, therefore, possibly weakening it.

There has been ample time for consultation. What representations has the Minister received from security officers and from representatives of the PSA? Have they indicated any concern, and has the Minister responded to them? Hon. Members may be more confident if the Minister is able to tell the House that consultations have satisfied him and, therefore, that they should satisfy us. I suspect that he will not be able to tell us that with any confidence.