HL Deb 15 December 2003 vol 655 c112WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What lessons have been learnt from the roll-out of the tax credits information technology system for the forthcoming procurement of the Inland Revenue's £4 billion ASPIRE service provision deal. [HL264]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The ASPIRE procurement formally commenced on 2 March 2002, and is now nearly complete. As with all government procurements, ASPIRE is governed by strict EU competition rules, as well as HM Government policy. All responses to the ASPIRE invitation to tender were evaluated through a rigorous qualitative, financial and commercial assessment. The Inland Revenue reserved the right to examine any other contracts held by the bidders-particularly in the public sector-where there was significant speculation that performance was unsatisfactory.