§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 14 October 2003,Official Report, column 141W, who has been the Board member responsible for project ASPIRE since the planning first commenced; when the intention to engage in a market 799W making exercise in support of project ASPIRE was first committed to by Inland Revenue; when the potential suppliers who took part in the market making exercise were first selected by Inland Revenue for that purpose; and what action Inland Revenue subsequently took after 12 April 2000 to the end of July 2001 to ensure that maximum value for public money expended upon project ASPIRE was obtained. [136562]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Board of the Inland Revenue has set up a Superintending Group to oversee the work of ASPIRE, which is chaired by Sir Nicholas Montagu KCB. the Chairman of the Inland Revenue.
As I said in my answer of 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 141W, the market-making exercise was conceived by the Inland Revenue between August and October 2001; it was also committed to at this time. Potential suppliers were also identified between August and October 2001 as part of the planning for the market-making exercise.