HC Deb 05 November 2002 vol 392 cc218-9W
Sue Doughty

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the processes the Government follows to appraise companies on its tender list for their record with respect to the code of practice on age discrimination. [79377]

Mr. Boateng

Individual Government Departments are responsible for taking decisions on the goods and services they acquire, taking account of the EC procurement rules and the Government's procurement policy of seeking value for money for the benefit of the taxpayer.

In terms of the criteria for the rejection and selection of candidates for a tender list, these are defined in the EC public procurement directives, which are implemented in the UK by the following regulations:

  1. (a)SI 1191 No. 2680—The Public Works Contracts Regulations 1991: Regulations 14 to 19;
  2. (b)SI 1993 No. 3228—The Public Services Contracts Regulations 1993: Regulations 14 to 20; and
  3. 219W
  4. (c)SI 1995 No. 201—The Public Supply Contracts Regulations 1995: Regulations 14 to 20