GM Public Debate Steering Board

HL Deb 25 March 2003 vol 646 cc68-9WA

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the work commissioned by the GM Public Debate Steering Board on (a) toolkit of stimulus material; (b) organisation of the regional workshops; and (c) evaluation of the outcomes were put out to tender; what the specifications for the contract were; and how many bodies bid for the tender.[HL2129]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)

The independent GM Public Debate Steering Board, which is managing the GM public debate at arm's length from government, appointed COI Communications as its agent and prime contractor. COI Communications has rosters of suppliers which have been previously selected in accordance with EU public procurement rules. A Defra official was appointed to the steering board in order to ensure proper accountability for the expenditure of public funds. Further information on the specification and tendering for different elements of the debate can be obtained from the steering hoard.