Is there a list of contractors/suppliers so that the public can understand who is supplying the states

1240/5(1826)

QUESTION TO BE ASKED OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMICS COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY 18th MARCH 2003, BY SENATOR P.V.F. LE CLAIRE

Question

Is there a list of contractors and businesses kept on a register within the States so that the public can understand who is supplying the States, and, if not, does the Committee have any plans to establish a register of businesses informing the public as to which accountants, builders and other contractors, etc., provide services?

Answer

There is no single States-wide register of suppliers of services to the States.

It is my understanding that some departments maintain approved lists of suppliers for specific purposes, but no such central list exists, nor a public register of how much business each supplier is awarded. For internal management purposes the existing financial system can be interrogated by Committees to ascertain how much business is undertaken by individual suppliers. Indeed the new financial system being installed by the Treasury would further aid this analysis.

The provision to the public of any details, let alone a comprehensive analysis of suppliers, would prove to be difficult given Data Protection issues.

Nevertheless, steps are being taken to ensure fairness and value for money in the awarding of supply contracts, for example the procedure established in Code of Direction No. 8 – Capital Projects – Review and Control for the awarding of construction tenders and Code of Direction 27- engagement and use of consultants.

In addition, it is a matter of public record that all tenders awarded from construction contracts over £200,000 are reported to the States and that the States themselves appoint the States Auditors and their remuneration for the audit is recorded in the Annual Report and Accounts.