HL Deb 23 October 2003 vol 653 cc189-90WA
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government

What advice they will give to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament on the Conciliation Committee regarding amendment 95 to Article 53.1 in the Classical Directive and amendment 50 to Article 55.1 in the Sectoral Directive. [HL4684]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

UK Government advice to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament will be that the text of the common position for award criteria in the public sector and utilities directives represents a balanced approach. It allows social and environmental criteria to be taken into account provided that they are relevant to the subject of the contract and give a benefit to the contracting authority.

As currently drafted, the text of the European Parliament amendments would allow wider issues to be taken into account at the award stage and would be likely to undermine value for money.