Implementation, Implementation, Implementation!!
I recognise that defending the Treasury around here is a pretty unusual task, but this time, it's simply not their fault.
Indeed, the Government's policy that used to be called "Selling Into Wider Markets" (IIRC) is actually a sensible idea. Have a nice location for a film? Let the film companies pay you for it. Have a team-building location with excess (note the word "excess") capacity - sell the excess time to the private sector for hard cash and use the money to spend on something else.
A great example is the use of the RN disaster management training rig where you have to plug the holes in the dark as the water comes in (my apologies to the Senior Service for mischaracterising this thing). A good mate's bank took a group of managers to the south coast where they (i) got very wet (ii) learned a great deal and (iii) paid HMG handsomely for it - money that was kept by the MOD and not given back to the Treasury.
So SIWM is all about how well you do it, and generating cash from excess capacity. Have a runway next to the home of golf? RAF PLC would be delighted for Sir to choose Leuchars as bizjet airport of choice for the weekend in return for the commercial rate. But charging journalists for positive publicity?
Balance, ladies and gentlemen, balance.
S41
Last edited by Squirrel 41; 31st July 2007 at 11:32.
Reason: St. Andrews is clearly "the" home of golf, not just "a"!