Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 1 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 May 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 May 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the Answer of 20th April 2003, 404 c106W, on Iraq (Reconstruction), which British companies have been invited to tender for contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq; what the process is for bidding for contracts; who decides the criteria for inclusion in the tender list; how many contracts have been let; what each contract is for; what the value of each contract is; what the overall budget for the reconstruction of Iraq is; who has contributed to the budget; and if she will make a statement. - Includes no figures.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2003, Official Report, column 106W, on Iraq (Reconstruction), which British companies have been invited to tender for contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq; what the process is for bidding for contracts; who decides the criteria for inclusion in the tender list; how many contracts have been let; what each contract is for; what the value of each contract is; what the overall budget for the reconstruction of Iraq is; who has contributed to the budget; and if she will make a statement. [112125] Ms Hewitt: We expect UK companies to play a significant role in the redevelopment of Iraq. In the shot- term US funding is likely to be the main source of opportunities for UK companies. Full details of the US contracts are available on US Government websites. There is no overall agreed budget for the reconstruction of Iraq. We are in close contact with the US authorities and others about financing the reconstruction. Andrew Natsios of USAID has confirmed to me that UK companies will be allowed and indeed encouraged to bid for US funded sub-contracts. We have agreed with the US authorities to hold a joint seminar in London in late May. This demonstrates US interest in ensuring that UK companies are involved. While we expect UK companies to bid for and win contracts, companies are not obliged to inform us if and when they have done so.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 112125; 405 c167W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Contracts Companies Finance Iraq USA Reconstruction Trade competitiveness
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk