§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons it is not normal departmental policy to disclose the names of firms participating in competitive tendering for departmental projects. [63493]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Code of Practice on Access to Government Information is the benchmark by which we make public details of competitive tendering. The Department would not normally make known the names of individual bidders participating in such an exercise. It would be generally considered to prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of such persons. However if we were asked to reveal the names we would consult each of the companies involved and ask whether they were content for their identity to be revealed. If the companies wished their names to remain confidential we could not release this information unless there were an overriding public interest.