§ 55. Mr. GARDNERasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in connection with new window-cleaning contracts, it is the practice not to ask for competitive tenders, but to allot the work to firms who, for the time being, hold contracts for window cleaning; whether he is aware that in Bristol window cleaning for the offices of the new Inland Revenue Department, the Unemployment Assistance Board, and the chief unemployment officer, has been allotted to two firms holding the window-cleaning contracts until the present three years' contracts expire; whether the price charged for this new work is higher or lower than the price for the original contract work; and whether he will consider allowing other firms to tender for new work of this description?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)Window-cleaning contracts in provincial towns are made subject to notice by the Department, not for any definite period, fresh tenders being obtained as a rule after three years. When a new building is taken into use during the currency of a contract, it is the practice to negotiate terms with the sitting contractor. If a reasonable price for the new work cannot be obtained, fresh tenders are invited. If the work in a town is divided between two or more contractors, each contractor is invited to tender for the new building, and this procedure was followed in Bristol in the cases mentioned by the hon. Member. The contract prices are on a lump sum basis, and no unit prices are available for the purpose of comparison. The existing practice is found to give general satisfaction, and I see no reason for changing it.
§ Mr. THORNEWhen these contracts were issued, were the rates of pay to be paid to the men fixed?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe whole thing is governed by the fair wages clause, and if any complaint could be brought against the firm that it was not paying the rates under the fair wages clause, I should at once take it up.