§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the advertising contracts her Department has awarded since 1 May 1997, indicating the value of contracts and the number of companies which tendered for them. [30719]
§ Mr. FieldThe information is as follows
HeadquartersThere have been two advertising contracts awarded by the Department since May 1997 which are for the following advertising campaigns:
Campaign Value Number of companies tendered Winter Fuel Payments £1,325,000 Single company BMP DDB No other companies were invited to tender Business Anti-Fraud Hotline £370,000 Single company BMP DDB No other companies were invited to tender The Central Office of Information (COI) ensures that current EC/GATT legislation, on tendering public service contracts, has been met.
To comply with the EU directive on tendering, COI runs EU wide tenders by placing an Invitation to Tender notice in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Tendering agencies who meet the criteria are then given approved status and a framework agreement is established. BMP DDB have this status.
Benefits AgencyHave not awarded any advertising contracts since May 1997.Child Support Agency
Campaign Value Number of companies tendered Information on leaflets etc. £17,000 Single company London Leisure Publishing Ltd. This was a single tender contract because the company is the only one to provide this service. Their newspaper "Time for Change" is issued free at all Jobcentres.
Contributions AgencyNo advertising contracts since May 1997.War Pensions AgencyNo advertising contracts since May 1997.