§ 35. Mr. Coldrickasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why he returned a tender for the building of a block of flats in Bristol to the city council after the council had accepted it; and what was the result.
§ Mr. BevinsThe tender in question was negotiated with the contractor, based upon an earlier tender submitted in October, 1957. Since the negotiated price appeared to be high, the Council was advised to see whether a better price could be obtained by re-advertising. My right hon. Friend has not yet received a fresh tender for approval.
§ Mr. ColdrickIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in consequence of referring the tender back it has cost the Bristol City Council at least £622 more than it otherwise would if the Minister had not interfered? Does he not think that it is a gross waste on the part of his Department to duplicate the work of responsible local officials in drafting these plans and entering into the tender?
§ Mr. BevinsThe Department insists on re-advertisement only where the negotiated price appears to it to be excessive. I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman that the lowest tender is several hundred £s above the negotiated price, but I ask him to bear in mind that this is an exceptional case. In nine cases out of ten the prices tendered to local authorities following re-advertisement are lower than negotiated prices.