§ 28. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether his Department will take steps to ensure that all contracts for supplies to local authorities are made as the result of open tender; and whether his Department ensures that no proprietary article is prescribed?
Sir H. YOUNGIt is the practice, in cases where my sanction is required to a loan, to require open tenders and, where the matter comes before me, to object so far as practicable to the specification of proprietary articles unless there are special reasons to the contrary. Contracts for ordinary supplies which are paid for out of revenue are not subject to my approval.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWMay I ask whether it is a result of instructions issued by the right hon. Gentleman's Department, that firms in which individual members of a local authority are interested are debarred from submitting tenders?
Sir H. YOUNGAs regards the interests of individual members of local authorities in possible contracts, that is a matter for the general law, and, if anything is done outside the general law perhaps the hon. Member will call my attention to it.