HC Deb 17 May 1995 vol 260 cc291-2W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the terms of the informal agreement between the European Community Commission and Her Majesty's Government on the use of the restricted procedure in procurement process for the probation service house II framework agreement. [24391]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

The conditions for use of the restricted procedure in the procurement process are set out in the Public Supply Contract Regulations, S.I.1991. No. 2679, a copy of which is in the Library. These conditions were complied with in the establishment of the house II—Home Office Unix systems environment—framework arrangement used to set up the agreement for probation services.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Treasury has been alerted to the facsimile correspondence from his Department's Mr. Lindsay Watson to Mr. Guy Lougher of Wragge and Co. on 9 February 1995; and if the questions raised about the award of the house II framework contract are factually and legally accurate. [24393]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

Mr. Lindsay Watson's letter of 9 February 1995 was prepared in consultation with the Treasury, who is content that the procedure under which the house II framework arrangement was awarded was in compliance with the Public Supply Contracts Regulations, S.I. 1991, No. 2679.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the award by a probation budget has been spent on the prison service, including accommodating prisoners in police cells; and what proportion has been spent on crime prevention in each of the last 16 years. [21607]

Mr. Howard

[holding answer 1 May 1995]: The full information sought is not available. The information readily available is as follows:

committee or board of any contract to Bull Information Systems Ltd. under or in pursuance of the house II framework agreement will need to comply with the relevant European Procurement rules in all respects; and if it will need to be separately advertised or publicised by the said probation committee or board under those rules. [24392]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

Since the house II—Home Office Unix systems environment—framework arrangement was awarded in accordance with the Public Supply Contracts Regulations, there is no need to have a further competition each time a probation committee or board awards any contract to Bull Information Systems Ltd. under or in pursuance of the house II framework agreement.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the relevant European public procurement regulations and laws in relation to the house II—Bull framework agreement—have been implemented. [24390]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

The house II—Home Office Unix Systems Environment—framework arrangement was awarded following a competition which complied with the Public Supply Contracts Regulations, SI 1991, No. 2679. The regulations are the mechanism by which the EC supplies directive is implemented.