§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new contractor will be required to ensure that the service remains(a) unified, (b) accountable and (c) within the United Kingdom under the Inland Revenue's tendering process for IT services. [79457]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe service will be unified and will be let as a single contract covering all existing and future IT needs of the Inland Revenue. The scope of the contract was set out in an OJEC notice, dated 2 March 2002, which announced the start of the procurement process. The UK Government complies fully with its EU and WTO treaty obligations. It is the intention of the Inland Revenue, through the Invitation to Tender, to specify a unified service which is accountable and within the UK.