§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies entered the competitive bidding process to provide psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation to members of the armed forces previously treated at the Duchess of Kent Psychiatric Hospital; and what assessment was made of the political affiliation of the board members of the bidding companies. [143485]
§ Mr. CaplinFive companies responded to the initial tender advertisements that appeared in the Official Journal European Community (OJEC) Services Directive and the MOD Contracts Bulletin in February 2003. Of these, four attended an Industry Day held on the 15 April 2003, and subsequently three received Invitations to Tender: Cygnet Health Care, The Priory Group, and Affinity Health Care. The first two of these submitted final tender responses.
Following detailed evaluation of the tender bids, The Priory's tender was considered the most technically compliant and they were accordingly awarded the contract.
No assessment was made of the political affiliation of the bidding companies. The Ministry of Defence's competitive tendering arrangements do not take such factors into account.