To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Minister in which Department gave the authorisation for the contract between the Valuation Office Agency and Rightmove. (143665)

The decision to proceed with the contract between Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (as parent department of the Valuation Office Agency) and Rightmove.co.uk Limited was taken by the VGA, in accordance with the delegated authority in Section 3 of its Framework Document (2005 Edition). Ministerial authorisation was not required.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the contract between the Valuation Office Agency and Rightmove plc was signed. (143666)

No contract exists between the Valuation Office Agency and Rightmove.

The contract between Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Rightmove.co.uk Limited was signed by HMRC on 1 July 2005 and by Rightmove on 4 July 2005.