Coronavirus

Lord Triesman Excerpts

Wednesday 16th September 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bethell (Con)]

I completely support the noble Lord’s commitment to mass testing. We are looking at ways in which to use less sensitive machines to provide the kind of prophylactic testing to which he alludes. I thank very much indeed all universities for their contribution to our testing programme.

[Lord Triesman (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, in the course of the pandemic, a significant number of contracts with private companies have been signed without tender and a number of these have been in areas such as PPE and test and trace. Most appear to have failed to deliver essential services and equipment—

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

I am afraid that we cannot hear the noble Lord. Maybe he would like to get closer to his microphone and try again.

[Lord Triesman (Lab) [V]]

I do not think I can get much closer to the microphone without eating it.

In the course of the pandemic, a significant number of contracts have been issued to private companies without tender. What is the value of the contracts that have been signed without competitive tender? Will the Minister place in the Library a list of all such contracts, their value, the companies involved and their ultimate beneficial owners?

[Lord Bethell (Con)]

That list is already published. I would be glad to send the noble Lord a link.