§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures he will implement to ensure that the equal opportunities practices established in the civil service will be continued in any areas where services are contracted out to private companies.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWhere services are contracted out to private companies, the Government do not intend to require particular employment policies and practices, and such requirements will not be included in tender documents. EC directives impose restrictions on the Government's ability to take account of non-commercial matters. Subject to these restrictions, departments and agencies may wish to give prospective contractors the562W opportunity to provide information on their employment policies and practices, including equal opportunities, that such contractors may believe is relevant to their ability to fulfil the contract for which they are bidding.