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Written question asked by Paul Keetch (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 27 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 December 2009. It was answered by Meg Hillier (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 December 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Criminal Records Bureau: Contracts

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the processing of Criminal Records Bureau checks was tendered to the private sector; when the contract with Capita for processing Criminal Records Bureau checks will next be reviewed; and what arrangements have been put in place to ensure that Capita processes such checks in a timely manner.
Answer

The Disclosure Service operates as a contract between the Criminal Records Bureau and Capita Business Services based upon a public-private partnership agreement. Under this agreement, Capita are required to perform contractually specified services and to develop, deliver and maintain the technical infrastructure of the Disclosure Service. A contract schedule sets out the service levels for Capita to meet. The current contract expires in 2012.The decision to tender to the private sector was made following a detailed options analysis. Five options were initially assessed and these were then reduced to two—Contract Crown/private entity for design, build and operation of CRB against a traditional Crown agency. Assessments based on investment appraisal, financial risk, technical/operational risk, performance management, skills and capability and implementation time concluded that a public-private partnership (PPP) approach was the most beneficial option against these criteria.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
501 c750-1W; 303637
Session
2009-10
Subjects
Contracts Criminal Records Bureau
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk