§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 11 November (WA 94), under what provisions of the Code of Conduct on Access to Government Information the terms of the contract with Global Solutions (GSC UK) to design, build and operate the Bicester accommodation centre are considered commercial in confidence. [HL58]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe general terms of the contract with Global Solutions Limited are in the public domain; details of payments to them under the contract must remain confidential under exemptions 7 and 13 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Disclosure of the information requested would both prejudice our ability to conduct negotiations on any future contractual activities and harm the competitive position of a third party, namely Global Solutions Limited.