26. Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Transport why, in the case of the contract for the swing-bridges over the Caledonian Canal, it was not possible to invite tenders f r the contract from all bridge-building firms who could submit their own designs for the bridges?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar question by him on the 11th March. As I explained then, it was considered that the interests of the public would be served best by limiting the tender in this case to selected firms.
Mr. MACLEANI am asking the reasons why the selection was made. What are the public reasons for limiting the number of firms which have been asked to tender?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe reasons are the common reasons in a case of this kind; owing to the exceptional character of the work, we must be satisfied that the firm tendering can successfully do it, and it is desirable to make a selected list of tenderers and allow competition within that sphere. It is the policy adopted 2012 not only by the State, but by local authorities.
Mr. MACLEANOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give the Minister notice that I shall raise the matter on the first available opportunity on the Adjournment.