To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many private sector organisations have submitted proposals to her Department under the right to bid programme on improving the delivery of services provided by her Department; how many of these proposals relating to each of her Department's services are being considered by her Department; and if she will make a statement. (275958)

[holding answer 15 May 2009]: The right to bid initiative was introduced on 1 January 2009 and we are pleased to say that we have had a significant amount of interest. As of 6 July 2009, 91 bids have been received from a mixture of organisations, 47 of which are from private sector organisations.