§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations his Department and the Marine Safety Agency have received about the delay in the awarding of the contract to run the small ships register by the agency; [33282]
(2) what discussions he has had with the director of the Marine Safety Agency about the small ships register and the awarding of the contract for running this service; [33280]
(3) what steps he is taking to ensure interested parties have the opportunity to bid for the contract for the small ships register from the Marine Safety Agency. [33281]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Barry Field, dated 20 June 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Questions enquiring: (a) what representations have been received about the delay in awarding the contract to run the Small Ships Register; (b) what discussions have taken place with the Marine Safety Agency about the Small Ships Register and the awarding of the contract for running this service, and, (c) what steps are being taken to ensure interested parties have the opportunity to bid for the Small Ships Register from the Marine Safety Agency.To date no representations have been received about the delay in awarding the contract for running the Small Ships Register. Nor have any discussions taken place with the Secretary of State about the Small Ships Register or the awarding of the contract as this is an operational matter which has been dealt with within the Agency.In the event that the contract for operation of the Small Ships Register is relet there will be a full competitive tendering exercise and all parties who have expressed an interest will be invited to tender together with any other parties who may be identified as potential suppliers.