§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department took to notify British companies about the contract to run the area computer centre at Norcross, Lancashire, and to give them the opportunity to tender.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThree companies were invited to tender for the contract to run ACC1 Livingston. On the basis of the responses to that invitation, and the need to bring ACC2 into operation on schedule, it was decided to invite Electronic Data Systems to run ACC2 on similar terms. No other company was asked to tender.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether any British companies were invited to tender for the contract to run the area computer centre at Livingston; what was the name of the company other than Electronic Data System which tendered; and whether Electronic Data System submitted the lower tender.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardAll three companies invited to tender for ACC1 Livingston are incorporated in the United Kingdom. The contract was awarded to Electronic Data Systems on the basis of best value for money, in accordance with normal practice. It is not the practice to give details of unsuccessful tenderers.