Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bethell on 19 May (HL236), why they consider the list of companies that were placed on the “VIP” fast-track for potential contracts related to the COVID-19 pandemic to be commercially sensitive, given that the question put sought no contractual or payment information; and whether they will now answer the question put.

The Department has to consider the position of suppliers which were referred to the high priority channel in terms of the likely publicity and attention releasing a list would attract. The impact on a supplier’s reputation, unrelated to the terms of their particular contract with the Department or ability to deliver the contracted outcomes, can affect a supplier’s competitive position in their respective market and confidence that its customers and investors may have in its commercial operations.