Thames Tideway Tunnel

(asked on 18th June 2015) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis they determined that providing information regarding the Thames Tideway Tunnel, including the number of tenders received, and the extent of the Government's Pre-Funded Risk Reserve, would prejudice the commercial interests of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and therefore fell under the exemption in section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.


This question was answered on 29th June 2015

We have responded to a Freedom of Information request for this information and the individual concerned has requested an internal review of our response. When this review is complete the individual will be informed of its outcome, including the reasons why any particular exemptions applied.

Thames Water Utilities Ltd (TWUL) is conducting this procurement under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2006 which includes an obligation on the procuring authority to protect the confidentiality of bidders. Defra is also subject to a non-disclosure agreement with TWUL in relation to confidential information it has shared with Defra about this procurement. Revealing information on this procurement while it remains live other than as required by these Regulations would, or would be likely to, harm the commercial interests of both TWUL and the Government.

TWUL will release appropriate details at the Preferred Bidder stage and Ofwat will consult on granting a project licence to the Preferred Bidder before Licence Award. In addition we will inform Parliament of the outcome of the procurement including relevant details once the procurement is complete. At this point the contract award notice will also be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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