§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those companies which have indicated an interest in the supply of £35 million worth of personal computers to the Common Services Agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt is not the practice to name companies which have indicated interest since this is usually on the basis of commercial confidentiality.
Tenders have been invited by the supplies division of the Common Services Agency of the NHS in Scotland for central contracts for the supply of personal computers over the next two years. The value of business is expected to be over £5 million per year. Tendering procedures followed EC regulations and 20 companies were invited to tender. Sixteen companies have submitted tenders and these are being evaluated. The successful tenderer will be announced in due course.