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Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 30 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 December 2010. It was answered by Lord Maude of Horsham (Conservative) on Thursday, 9 December 2010 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Public Sector: Procurement

Question
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Southend West of 24 November 2010, Official Report, column 254, on consultancy, what safeguards are in place to avoid any conflict of interest arising in the award of contracts; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

The Government have in place robust procedures for the avoidance of any conflict of interest, including through the requirements of the Ministerial Code. These cover Ministers and their immediate family members.With regard to the specific contract between the Cabinet Office and DLA Piper, the legal firm which employs the Deputy Prime Minister's wife, Miriam González Durántez, the Deputy Prime Minister had no involvement in the award of this contract in 2008 under the last Government. The Deputy Prime Minister is a Minister in the Cabinet Office not the Minister for the Cabinet Office and he has had no involvement in the award or management of Cabinet Office contracts.Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister and Miriam González Durántez have been assiduous at all times in ensuring there is no conflict of interest between the Deputy Prime Minister's official responsibilities and their private interests. In accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Deputy Prime Minister, on appointment to office, provided the Cabinet Secretary with a list of his interests. At the same time, Miriam González Durántez had separate discussions with the Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Office Director of Propriety and Ethics to ensure there was no conflict between her work and the Deputy Prime Minister's official responsibilities. Procedures have been put in place to ensure any contract between DLA Piper and the Government is insulated from Miriam González Durántez's role in DLA Piper so no conflict will arise.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
28644; 520 c411W
Session
2010-12
Related items
Consultancy
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Public sector Procurement
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk