Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what due diligence was carried out on PPE Medpro Ltd prior to it being awarded a contract for the supply of personal protective equipment to the NHS; and what account was taken of that company having been incorporated in May with a share capital of £100 prior to it being awarded that contract.

The Government issued a public call to action to support the increased requirements of personal protective equipment (PPE). The aim was to reach suppliers who had experience of supplying PPE and also those who had no prior experience but who had access to sources of PPE through their business contacts. To date this has resulted in 15,000 suppliers offering their help and support. All offers were prioritised based on volume, price, clinical acceptability and lead time – this is the time from an offer being accepted by the Department to the supplier delivering those items. Suppliers are evaluated by Departmental officials on their financial standing, compliance with minimum product specifications and ability to perform the contract. These were often private businesses whose net asset position is only one factor in evaluating their offer.

Contracts are awarded by the appropriate Departmental accounting officer in line with Departmental policy and procedures.