§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the cost to public funds of(a) South Oxfordshire district council's failed contract for computing services and (b) earlier development work by John McLintock's company; [21106]
270W(2) what reasons have been given by South Oxfordshire district council for terminating the contract for computing services; and what was the original expiry date; [21107]
(3) what severance arrangements South Oxfordshire district council has made with the contractor for computing services; and what payment has been made to (a) the owner and (b) his company; [21108]
(4) if the district auditor has been asked to report on the quality of computing services purchased by South Oxfordshire district council. [21109]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThese are matters for South Oxfordshire district council to whom these questions should be put in the first instance. If there are doubts about the propriety or value for money for the contract in question they should be raised with the authority's external auditor.
§ Mrs. CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the implications for the privatisation of local government services of the contracting out of computing services by South Oxfordshire district council. [21105]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAuthorities are free to contract out elements of their computer services subject to their obligations under EU and domestic legislation. As from 1 April 1999, South Oxfordshire district council will be required to subject part of its information technology services to compulsory competitive tendering.