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16 Nov 2005 : Column 1320W—continued
Departmental Vehicles
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reduction there has been in (a) road transport vehicle carbon dioxide emissions and (b) single occupancy car commuting in the Department since (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05. [17741]
Mr. Hain: The NIO is currently collecting baseline information for its transport fleet to enable it to monitor reduction in vehicle carbon dioxide emissions.
The Department is also currently carrying out a green transport survey for the purposes of identifying what opportunities exist to reduce single car occupancy commuting.
This answer only applies to the Northern Ireland Office and not to the 11 Departments of the devolved Administration.
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vehicles for which the Department is responsible are fitted with retreaded tyres. [17989]
Mr. Hain: For information on the use of retread tyres on vehicles provided to the Department by the Government Car and Despatch Agency, I refer the hon. Member to the letter of 11 October 2005 which he received from the chief executive of the GCDA, reference UIN15088. Copies of this letter are available in the Library.
There are no retreaded tyres on other vehicles owned or leased directly by the NIO.
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This answer only applies to the Northern Ireland Office and not to the 11 Departments of the devolved Administration.
Domestic Violence
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of domestic violence were reported in each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies in the last year for which figures are available. [21638]
Mr. Hanson: The PSNI are the sole source of reliable information about domestic violence as they capture recorded crimes with a domestic motivation. The information is therefore only available across PSNI District Command Units and is set out in the table for the year 2004–05.
It is however believed these figures do not reflect the true level of domestic violence in Northern Ireland, In the Northern Ireland Crime Survey 2003–04 19 per cent. of female respondents claimed they had been the victims of domestic violence at some time in their lives, while 11 per cent. of male respondents made a similar claim.
Election Fraud
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps can be taken against a candidate who has been elected in a local government election or general election but has handed in fraudulent election returns. [18236]
Mr. Hanson:
A return of expenses after an election must contain a declaration of the amount incurred. If the person making the return makes a false declaration they are guilty of an offence, as is any person who aids or abets, counsels or procures the false declaration.
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All returns and declarations for local government elections are open for inspection by anyone at council offices for two years. If the return is discovered to be fraudulent, criminal proceedings can follow.
For parliamentary general elections, the Electoral Commission has responsibility for monitoring compliance with the law on election expenses. If they discover that a return is fraudulent, criminal proceedings can follow.
Electronic Human Resources Contract
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the status of Fujitsu Services Ltd. is in relation to the bidding process for the Northern Ireland civil service electronic human resources contract; and what criteria were used in determining the (a) timing and (b) content of the statement issued on 19 October regarding the contract. [26686]
Angela E. Smith: Following the evaluation process, the authority has entered into further discussions with Fujitsu Services Ltd. with a view to them being selected as preferred bidder. Progression to preferred bidder status depends upon the satisfactory resolution of a number of points. These issues must be resolved within a four-week period from 19 October.
The timing was determined by the completion of the evaluation process and ratification of the outcome by the programme board. The criteria used in determining the content of the statement issued on 19 October were the evaluation criteria published as part of the instructions to bidders. A copy of which has been placed in the Library.
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when gateway reviews were carried out on the procurement process used for the civil service electronic human resources contract; by whom they were carried out; and on what terms. [26753]
Angela E. Smith: The eHR project has been subject to five reviews under the peer review process allied to the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Gateway process. These reviews ensure compliance with process before moving to the next stage.
The peer review process has been conducted in accordance with OGC Gateway guidance, led by an OGC member of staff and supported by public sector panel members independent of the her project and who are trained in carrying out Gateway Reviews.
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The terms for carrying out the reviews were as follows:
Ensure that the project or programme is supported by users and stakeholders and contributes to the organisation's business strategy.
Review the arrangements for leading and managing the project or programme (and its individual projects).
Review the arrangements for identifying and managing the main project or programme risks (and in the case of a programme the individual project risks), including external risks such as changing business priorities.
Check that financial provision has been made for the project or programme and that plans for the work to be done through to business case justification (Gateway Review 1) for each procurement project are realistic, properly resourced and authorised. This should include the individual projects within a programme.
Confirm that the business case is robust—that is, in principle it meets business need, is affordable, achievable, with appropriate options explored and likely to achieve value for money.
Establish that the feasibility study has been completed satisfactorily and that there is a preferred way forward.
Ensure that the major risks have been identified and outline risk management plans have been developed.
Establish that the project is likely to deliver its business goals and that it supports wider business change, where applicable.
Ensure that the full scale, intended outcomes, timescales and impact of relevant external issues have been considered.
Confirm that overarching and internal business and technical strategies have been taken into account.
Ensure that the project controls and organisation are defined, financial controls are in place and the resources are available.
Confirm that the development and delivery approach and mechanisms are still appropriate and manageable.
Check that the supplier market capability and track record is fully understood (or existing supplier's capability and performance).
Confirm that the procurement (or acquisition approach) will facilitate good client/supplier relationships in accordance with government initiatives such as Achieving Excellence in Construction Procurement.
Ensure that there is internal and external authority, if required, and stakeholder support for the project.
Check that financial provision has been made for the project or programme and that plans for the work to be done through to Investment Decision (Gateway Review 3) for each procurement project are realistic, properly resourced and authorised. This should include the individual projects within a programme.
Ensure that the project controls and organisation are defined, financial controls are in place and the resources are available.
Ensure that the major risks have been identified and outline risk management plans have been developed.
Confirm that the development and delivery approach and mechanisms are still appropriate and manageable.
Ensure that there is internal and external authority, if required, and stakeholder support for the project.
Ensure that the project controls and organisation are defined, financial controls are in place and the resources are available.
Ensure that the project's plan through to completion is appropriately detailed and realistic, including contract management strategy.
Ensure that the major risks have been identified and outline risk management plans have been developed.
Confirm that the development and delivery approach and mechanisms are still appropriate and manageable.
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will commission an independent peer review of the procurement process in respect of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Electronic Human Resources contract. [26822]
Angela E. Smith: A peer review additional to the process detailed will not be commissioned.
The procurement process has been undertaken in accordance with European Union procurement law and the Department of Finance and Personnel has been guided by best procurement practice as recommended by the Office of Government Commerce and Central Procurement Directorate (Department of Finance and Personnel).
The eHR project has been subject to five reviews under the peer review process allied to the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Gateway process:
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The peer review process has been conducted in accordance with OGC Gateway guidance, led by an OGC member of staff and supported by public sector panel members independent of the eHR project and who are trained in carrying out Gateway Reviews.
A further three reviews will be carried out, these are:
| December 2005 | |
|---|---|
| Gate 3 | Investment Decision |
| Gate 4 | Readiness for Service |
| Gate 5 | Benefits evaluation |
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