- Breaking News Fine if `Herald' refers to the Almighty
- Breaking News MB cut up about idle operating theatres
- Breaking News Dissidents in Iran tread a fine balance
- Breaking News RM1.5b for 35 new LRT trains
Parliament probe into 'lift cartel' HOLYROOD: CASH ROW
0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Aug 19, 2007 | by Paul Hutcheon Scottish Political Editor
IT has been marred by problems with the design, location and even the roof, but the Holyrood building is facing another headache: this time over its lifts.
Parliament officials have confirmed they gave GBP1.5 million in elevator contracts to a company which has been fined for its part in a price-fixing scandal. Holyrood bosses are now investigating whether Otis, which admitted being part of the "lift cartel", overcharged the taxpayer as part of its illegal practices.
A Scottish parliament spokesman said officials would study the contract and added: "The fine imposed by the European Commission relates to cartels in mainland Europe. The maintenance contract was awarded in line with the parliament's strict procurement guidance. Our procurement staff will be checking the contract in detail."
Most Popular Articles
Most Recent Articles
The cash row follows the European Commission's decision earlier this year to fine four companies nearly one billion euros for their role in carving up elevator contracts across Europe.
It was found that lift manufacturers ThyssenKrupp, Kone, Schindler and Otis fixed prices, rigged bids and shared contracts across Europe between 1995 and 2004.
One of the rigged bids included the European Commission's own lift contract for its headquarters in Brussels, as well as the Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
It has now emerged that Otis, owned by US-based United Technologies, was the company that installed the elevators in the Scottish parliament. Holyrood accounts show the company received GBP1.3m of public money for the installation, testing and certification of 13 lifts.
Only two companies, Otis and Schindler, submitted bids during the final stage of the procurement process for the contract, both of which were part of the same cartel. The contract was signed in 2000, a period in which the illegal activity was found to have taken place.
Budget documents also reveal Otis received GBP35,799 for lift maintenance services in 2005, followed by another four-year contract worth GBP121,000.
- Poorest students left penniless after university funding delay An
- Aliens go forth and multiply
- Lockerbie: CIA witness gagged by US government; Lockerbie trial
- Bid to make people nicer on the net Charity's campaign aims to bring
- High-tech headstone brings primetime to the graveside
- 'Free Willy' dies of broken heart; Lonely Keiko never did find
- Getting to the root of beautiful hair: shiny, silky hair begins with a healthy scalp - includes list of resources and a recipe for an herbal scalp tonic
- Industry Experts Launch Money Management Resources to Help People Overcome Debt and Learn Proper Money Management Practices
- Made from scratch: When Honda built a plant in Alabama it also built a workforce-using local workers who had no experience in making cars - Recruitment & Hiring
- Portfolio forecasting tools: what you need to know
- Banking technology, technological learning and competition: comparative case studies in Thai banking
- John Seely Brown Inducted Into 2004 Industry Hall of Fame
- SmartDisk's New VST Flash Media Reader(TM) Reads SmartMedia(TM), CompactFlash(TM) From A Single Desktop Unit
- FDA Approves REMICADE(R) for Ninth Indication: Psoriatic Arthritis
Content provided in partnership with