§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what provision has been made to protect against loss to public funds as a result of(a) failure and (b) overrun of (i) time and (ii) cost for the new computer system for the Vehicle Inspectorate; [98244]
(2) if the Government will require guarantees that the new computer system for the Vehicle Inspectorate will work before awarding a contract. [98243]
§ Mr. PrescottThe Vehicle Inspectorate is confident from the negotiations which have taken place over the last 18 months that the contract for the computerised MOT service is robust and deliverable. The contract contains a number of safeguards building on the experience gained from other major projects. The project was awarded "significant" status in March 1998 by HM Treasury and there has been input throughout the procurement process from the Treasury Private Finance Initiative Taskforce. An independent review of the contract will be undertaken during the preferred bidding stage to provide a further level of assurance. The Vehicle Inspectorate will ensure that, should the service be unavailable for any reason on the expected service commencement date, MOT testing will be able to continue.