Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Glindon Excerpts

Wednesday 8th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Chris Skidmore]

The hon. Lady mentioned the Electoral Commission, but she omitted to say that it has stated that it welcomes the

“full and considered response from the Government and the announcement of its intention to pilot measures to increase security at polling stations.”

The Electoral Commission is indeed in favour of introducing photographic ID for elections. When it comes to the pilots, we want evidence-based policy making, which is why we will have pilots that look at photographic ID and pilots that look at non-photographic ID. When it comes to ensuring that people will be able to vote, I am not going to be denying anyone that franchise. We are protecting those communities that are most vulnerable in casting their votes in a secret ballot. We must protect against undue influence, and I am surprised that the hon. Lady does not take the matter seriously, as the Electoral Commission does.

[Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

4. What discretion local authorities have within his Department’s guidelines on public procurement.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Ben Gummer)]

The Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which govern the conduct of public procurement in the UK, apply in full to all public sector organisations, including local authorities.

[Mary Glindon]

Will the Minister confirm that it is perfectly legal for local authorities to be able to set their own procurement rules, taking into account additional factors, such as the suppliers’ human rights record and the environmental impact?

[Ben Gummer]

Local authorities must comply with European Union law, which is enshrined in the public contracts regulations. The Government provide guidance on how those regulations should be applied, and I encourage local authorities to take that guidance into account when they are framing their procurement policies.