§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [29428]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightThe Treasury has had no reason to use performance bonds in the last five years. The policy for such bonds is covered by the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 "Bonds and Guarantees", copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses.