HC Deb 16 February 1939 vol 343 cc1900-1
61. Mr. Liddall

asked the Minister of Health why the tender of Mr. John Leech, electrical engineer of Leytonstone, for the installation of electric lighting to the proposed new library and lock-up shops at Harrow Green, which was the lowest tender of 20 firms publicly invited to tender, and was recommended to the Leyton Borough Council by the appropriate committee for acceptance, was not accepted?

Mr. Elliot

I understand that the tender in question was not recommended to the borough council by the committee. The committee instructed inquiry to be made and a report to be made to the council. After consideration of this report, the council resolved that the next lowest tender should be accepted. When this matter came before me in connection with an application for loan sanction, I saw no sufficient reason in this instance for interfering with the discretion of the council. I accordingly approved the acceptance of tenders as proposed by them.

Mr. Liddall

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, in these days of ever-mounting rates and taxes, it should be incumbent on every local authority to get jobs like this done at the lowest possible price?

Mr. Elliot

The local authority concerned must be allowed to judge whether a tender is likely to produce the completion of the job at the lowest possible price.

Mr. Thorne

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases contractors do not comply with the terms of the tenders?