HL Deb 27 March 2003 vol 646 cc87-8WA
Lord Harris of Haringey

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the arrangements for tendering via Jobcentre Plus for European Social Fund Objective 3 Co-financing in respect of capacity building are satisfactory; and [HL2108]

How many tenders for European Social Fund Objective 3 Co-financing in respect of capacity building have been rejected on the basis that (a) answers to each question exceeded one page of A4 paper, (b) the layout of the application was altered; or (c) the font size for both questions and answers was smaller than 12 point. [HL2109]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)

The Government are satisfied that Jobcentre Plus is applying proper and fair tendering arrangements for all organisations wishing to apply for the European Social Fund. Jobcentre Plus tendering arrangements are underpinned by principles of openness, transparency and consistency. These principles offer a fair approach to Jobcentre Plus competitive tendering arrangements which aim, ultimately, to offer better and more effective services for unemployed and disadvantaged people that this Government are trying to help.

Three tenders for European Social Fund Objective 3 Co-financing in respect of capacity building have been rejected because their documentation was not completed in a way which would enable them to be compared consistently and fairly with other applications in the competitive tendering exercise.