HC Deb 03 February 2000 vol 343 cc698-9W
Mr. Pickles

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the credit rating of companies seeking to tender for services provided by his Department is checked before the contract is awarded. [107742]

Mr. Straw

In assessing a company's capability for providing services to the Department over the period of a contract, its financial status and background will be checked using information which will include latest audited accounts and other relevant published details such as credit and debt rating. These checks are undertaken on contracts where early termination would place a financial and operational risk on the Department.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the credit rating of companies supplying services to his Department is checked. [107748]

Mr. Straw

Once a contract has been let, the Department will carry out checks only if it has reason to believe that any of its contractors may be in financial difficulty.