Further to his answer to question S1W-25368 on 1 May 2002, whether the new contract for mail services in the Parliament has now been awarde…

The mail and messenger services contract was first competitively tendered in 1999 when the Parliament was established and subsequently awarded to Royal Mail plc. The decision not to employ an in-house messenger service was taken in 1998, prior to the services being tendered. This contract is now due to be re-let and has been tendered in two lots; the off-site mail screening and the on-site messenger delivery, as these are two discrete service elements. Either one contract for the whole service or a contract for each lot will be awarded depending on the outcome of the evaluation process, which will take account of the quality of the service and best overall value for money.Tender submissions are still being evaluated. The aim is to test not only the financial information in bids, but also to ensure that the high standard of service which members have come to expect, including integrity and security, will be delivered. No decision has been made on the award of either lot and the decision is not expected for some months.