§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the terms of the contract established by the Western Education and Library Board in 1998 for the purchase of petroleum products in the Irish Republic. [61919]
§ Mr. McFallA contract for the provision of fuel products was awarded by te Western Education and Library Board to Diesel Card Ireland Limited following open competitive tendering procedure. The contract is for the period 1 September 1998 to 31 August 1999; and its total value is £46,500 (Irish) for the provision of some 117,500 litres of fuel.
101W
§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of the Government on the purchase by Government departments and agencies in Northern Ireland of petroleum products in the Republic of Ireland. [61920]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyGovernment Departments and their Agencies in Northern Ireland buy fuel under EC compliant contractual arrangements which have been established by the Buying Agency in Great Britain in collaboration with the Government Purchasing Agency, Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations she has received in 1998 about the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic; and if she will make a statement. [61923]
§ Mr. IngramThe Secretary of State has received several representations about this matter and these have been referred to the various agencies concerned.
It is recognised that is a serious problem in revenue terms and disadvantages legitimate traders, and my Department together with the RUC and HM Customs and Excise are developing a co-ordinated and intelligence driven strategy to address this issue.