HL Deb 10 January 2005 vol 668 cc17-8WA
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the policy of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to offer only unsigned e-mails as contracts with the department. [HL449]

Lord Whitty

It is not the policy of the department to offer only unsigned e-mails as contracts with the department. The department's policy is to award contracts in accordance with contract law.

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether unsigned e-mail contracts offered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are legally binding. [HL450]

Lord Whitty

Whether unsigned e-mail correspondence can constitute a binding legally enforceable contract depends on consideration of the facts of each and every case having regard to the professional quantum, accounting, legal and technical advice that the Department would seek.