To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on private contractors providing protection services for his Department in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan in 2007. (210498)

The information is as follows:

The information in the table covers contracts put in place by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London with private security companies and reflects the contract values concerned and not the actual spend. All of these contracts cover other Government Departments, with the costs thereof being shared out accordingly.

The FCO ensures that all contracts are subject to a rigorous selection process so that we obtain best value for money. Any company engaged by the FCO needs to pass through a stringent and transparent procurement process in line with public procurement guidelines and best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what private contractors provided protection services for his Department in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan in 2007. (210499)

In Iraq, Control Risks have provided mobile security and GardaWorld static security since both contracts were re-tendered in early 2006.

In Afghanistan, Armorgroup have provided both static and mobile security since the contract was re-tendered in late 2006.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ensures that all contracts are subject to a rigorous selection process so that we obtain best value for money. Any company engaged by the FCO needs to pass through a stringent and transparent procurement process in line with public procurement guidelines and best practice.