HC Deb 28 March 1996 vol 274 cc691-2W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded by his Department and its executive agencies on the basis of single negotiated contracts in each of the last three years; if he will list the companies involved and the value of the contract in each case; what percentage this represented of contracts awarded by his Department and its agencies after competitive tendering; and, in each case, why the contracts were awarded on the basis of a single negotiated tender. [22868]

Mr. Arbuthnot

For the statistical information requested, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 19 March,Official Report, columns 124–25. The information sought in respect of individual non-competitive contracts could be produced only at disproportionate cost. I have asked the chief executives of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and of the Meteorological Office to write to the hon. Member in respect of their procurement activity in the period for which he seeks information.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 28 March 1996: You asked the Secretary of State for Defence for the number and value of single negotiated tenders awarded by his Department and its agencies in the last three years; for a list of the companies involved, what percentage of contracts awarded this represented and on what basis single negotiated contracts were awarded. I am replying on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I am able to give you the total number of single negotiated contracts and the percentage of total contracts awarded that these represent. I cannot give you the other details you request as this information is commercially confidential.

Year Single negotiated contracts Percentage of total contracts
1992–93 873 69
1993–94 1,294 68
1994–95 8,894 74

I hope this is helpful.

Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 28 March 1996: As Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about single negotiated contracts. Unfortunately the information could only be produced at disproportionate costs, although naturally as an Agency of the Ministry of Defence we follow the Department's policy on competitive tendering. I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.