TREASURY'S ANSWER DOESN'T ADD UP - FOSTER

4.21.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 26th Jul 2006

The Treasury has been asked to explain why it was prepared to provide information to journalists that it refused to disclose in Parliament.

Commenting on the response to his Parliamentary Question on whether Ministers or officials in the Treasury held meetings with representatives of companies on the shortlist to be the Olympic Delivery Authority Deliver Partner, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Culture Media and Sport, Don Foster MP said:

"The Treasury's answer just doesn't add up. They're telling parliament that it's not practice to discuss such details, but are more than happy to brief journalists.

"If they're concerned more about newspaper headlines than parliamentary scrutiny, they'd be better off being open in their official communications rather than refusing to clear the air.

"Even on the Prescott casino fiasco, Ministers answered fully questions about private meetings - so why can't they do the same for the Olympics?

"The only way to prevent further allegations of Labour sleaze is for the Chancellor to give a full account of the Treasury's involvement in this process."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Don Foster MP tabled the following question to the Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department have held meetings with representatives of companies or consortia on the shortlist for the contract as the Olympic Delivery Authority Deliver Partner; which (i) ministers and (ii) companies or consortia partners were at each meeting; where each meeting took place; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement. 88200

JOHN HEALEY

Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

2. In response to a similar question put by a journalist, Chris Martin Head of Communications and Press Secretary to the Chancellor replied:

"The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for procuring the delivery partner for the 2012 Olympic games, in compliance with European procurement legislation. At the ODA's invitation, HM Treasury is represented on the Compliance and Oversight Group that helps oversee the procurement process. Treasury ministers and officials have not had any discussions with the companies and consortia on the shortlist about the delivery partner contract."

3. The Treasury's argument that its not practice to discuss such meetings is questionable in light of recent reply's to parliamentary questions:

Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when (a) Ministers and (b) officials have held meetings in the last 12 months with casino operators interested in securing licences under the Gambling Act 2005; where each meeting took place; and what was discussed. [83371]

Mr. Caborn: Under the Gambling Act 2005, local authorities acting in their capacity as licensing authorities will be responsible for issuing the one regional, eight large and eight small new casino licences permitted by the Act. Licensing authorities will be required to run the competitions for these licences in a fair and open way. These competitions are not expected to begin until mid-2007, and the identities of the bidding companies will not be known until then.

DCMS Ministers and officials have met frequently with casino and other companies that may be interested in bidding, and their representative bodies. These meetings have covered all aspects of the implementation of the Gambling Act and wider gambling policy, and are part of our regular and ongoing consultation with the gambling industry, local authorities and other stakeholders. Those meetings that have been identified that have taken place since1 January 2006 are listed below, and all these meetings took place in the UK.

The list below shows the date, DCMS minister and/or official(s) present, and who attended the meeting.

18 January 2006, Richard Caborn, Rank Group

6 February 2006, Official(s), British Casino Association

7 February 2006, Official(s), Representatives of the gambling industry, including British Casino Association and Casino Operators' Association

10 February 2006, Official(s), Rank Group

21 March 2006, Official(s), British Casino Association

11 April 2006, Official(s), Representatives of the gambling industry including the British Casino Association

20 April 2006, Official(s), Overseas casino operators including Ameristar, Kerzner International, MGM Mirage

10 May 2006, Official(s), British Casino Association

15 May 2006, Official(s), Representatives of the gambling industry, including British Casino Association and Casino Operators' Association

18 May 2006, Official(s), Rank Group

23 May 2006, Official(s), London Clubs International

24 May 2006, Richard Caborn and official(s), British Casino Association