Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Crown Commercial Service has plans to issue guidance to public sector bodies on the financial risks associated with contracting with Interserve.

It is the responsibility of contracting authorities to carry out appropriate due diligence

checks on potential suppliers and financial monitoring on existing suppliers when they are contracting out, to ensure that those suppliers are able to deliver the public services for which they are contracted.

The Strategic Supplier Risk Management Policy is not of itself relevant to the conduct of procurement activities. If contracting authorities approach Cabinet Office to request advice on their procurements, however, Cabinet Office provides assistance where requested and available.