ORDNANCE SURVEY

That this House recognises that Ordnance Survey provides a valuable and well respected public service; welcomes the fact that Ordnance Survey exceeded its target for operating profit in the last financial year and is currently a net contributor to public funds; further recognises that in the current economic climate public assets such as Ordnance Survey will have a lower market value; expresses concern that in the forthcoming Budget there will be a report as part of the Operational Efficiency Programme to identify efficiency savings and the concern that there might be proposals to privatise this service; notes with concern the damaging effect which this will have on staff morale; and calls on the Government to continue to provide Ordnance Survey with all the support which it needs to continue to operate at its current high standards in the public sector.