§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will allow Government Departments to place orders with preferred suppliers. [100608]
§ Mr. BoatengEach Department is responsible for its own procurements, within the framework of the Government's procurement policy and the EC procurement rules. This policy and EC framework requires procurements to be conducted in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitive way, with each contract awarded to the tenderer offering best value for money for the particular requirement.