| answer text |
<p>Government departments make use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when structuring
their engagements on preparations for leaving the EU, which is a crucial component
of planning. It is for departments to determine the manner in which engagement with
stakeholders takes place. Given the sensitive nature of some discussions, there may
be limited circumstances in which departments have used NDAs to enable those conversations,
thereby reaching more stakeholders than would otherwise be the case.</p><p>As I said
in my previous answer, this department has put a limited number of NDAs in place in
the course of its work. The department’s use of NDAs is limited to standard contractual
arrangements with those providing services to support our work and are necessary to
protect commercial considerations.</p><p>According to central records, the department
has six current NDAs covering standard contractual arrangements with providers for
activity including media monitoring, consultancy and research. Once awarded, we endeavour
to adhere to cross-government guidance by publishing all contracts on the Contracts
Finder within 90 days of award.</p>
|
|
