§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what conclusions have been drawn by her Department on(a) commissioning the services of contractors during animal health emergencies and (b) the keeping and auditing of accounts; and what advice she will give to contractors who may be requested to supply goods or services to her Department in a future emergency. [150518]
§ Mr. BradshawThe conclusions that have been drawn by the Department on(a) commissioning the services of contractors during animal health emergencies and (b) the keeping and auditing of accounts are as follows:
The Department will deal with those contractors who meet its requirements for eligibility and economic and financial standing, together with the ability and technical capacity to deliver the goods, services and works required;The Department will take all sufficient and necessary steps to prevent windows of commercial opportunity being opened up by contractors to taxpayers disbenefit during animal health or any other emergencies;The Department requires its contractors to substantiate their charges and allow Defra to verify that the charges invoiced are fully in accordance with the contractual provisions.Contractors who may be requested to supply goods, services or works to the Department in a future emergency will be asked, as is currently the case, to comply with the terms of the contracts agreed with them.