Question

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether evidence of remedial action is required from a contractor who has been involved in the practice of blacklisting before it secures a contract with the Commission; and if he will make a statement.

As a pre-qualification activity in the procurement process, potential contractors tendering for contracts with the House Service are asked to confirm whether they have breached labour law obligations, including the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 and the Modern Slavery Act 2015, in the previous three years. Where this turns out to be the case, they are asked to explain what measures have been taken and provide evidence as appropriate to demonstrate the reliability of the organisation despite the existence of a relevant ground for exclusion. If the response is not satisfactory, the House Service has the right to exclude the organisation from the tendering process at its discretion.