§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the information technology section of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to be offered for sale. [HL6249]
§ Lord Whitty:A programme is under way to plan for transfer of the department's main IT delivery services to the private sector. The main characteristics of this will be purchase by the department of the required IT services through strategic arrangements with a private 71WA sector supplier or suppliers rather than a sale of the current internal provision units, although it is expected that there will be a transfer under the TUPE Regulations.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a proposed sale of the information technology section of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be based on bids with the highest bidder winning or whether there will be a best value appraisal to ensure the suitability of any prospective purchaser. [HL6250]
§ Lord Whitty:The department will follow the public procurement rules. Selection will be based on the most economically advantageous tender, looking at all relevant factors which give best value. In other words, the department will not just take account of price.