To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria his Department use in determining the award of contracts; and how much his Department has spent on the advertisement of tenders for Government contracts since 1997. (303136)

Other than minor purchases, the Scotland Office does not undertake discrete procurement or tendering projects. It utilises existing service contracts between suppliers and the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice. These awarding authorities would take the lead in such matters and would determine the criteria for the award of contract. The Office has not incurred any direct spend on the advertisement of tenders.