PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Government Departments: Procurement (18 May 2021)

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking with cabinet colleagues to avoid potential conflicts of interest involving ministers in the upcoming Procurement Bill announced in the Queen's Speech 2021.

Asked by:
Sarah Owen (Labour)

The existing regulations impose binding obligations on contracting authorities effectively to prevent, identify and remedy conflicts of interest. We propose to maintain these controls. Our broader proposals to strengthen transparency and non-discrimination measures complement these existing processes.

We also intend to publish new commercial guidance to assist government departments to develop and enhance local strategies, systems, processes and procedures to prevent, identify and remedy conflicts of interest in a consistent and effective way.

Answered by:
Julia Lopez (Conservative)
24 May 2021