§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29426]
§ Mr. BurtOur aim is to follow the advice on the use of performance bonds set out in the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 in "Bonds and Guarantees". The decision to use a performance bond is made on a case-by-case basis, after considered judgment of any risks a specific contractor may present to a particular contract, regardless of the size of the contractor. We do not collect information of amounts paid by bond.