§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if official receivers will be required to enter into contracts with private sector providers; if they will be personally liable as part of these contacts; and if they will be formally indemnified against the liability to the provider and for the acts or omissions of the provider. [27683]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansOfficial receivers will be the contracting parties to any contract for the discharge of their functions. As such they would be liable under the terms of such contracts and, pursuant to the provisions of section 72 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, for the proper discharge of those functions. Officials receivers will therefore need to be satisfied that any such liabilities are adequately provided for.