Privatisation Of The Custody Service

EDM number 208 in 1995-96, proposed by Eddie Loyden on 13/12/1995.

That this House deplores the decision of Her Majesty's Government to put the Custody Service up for privatisation contrary to the Government's endorsement of the principle of five year intervals between reviews contained in CMD 2748, The Civil Service, Taking forward Continuity and Change; notes that the Custody Service will be marking its centenary of an efficient and cost-effective service in 1999; that 95 per cent. of its costs are wage related and therefore any privatisation can only lead to increased costs to its main customer, the Government, to which it supplies a deluxe service; notes its 700 staff are fully vetted and cleared personnel and that its staff turnover is between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. per annum compared with the private sector's 30 per cent. to 40 per cent.; and urges the Government to withdraw this foolish and expensive doctrinaire proposal.

This motion has been signed by a total of 49 MPs.