§ 35. Mr. C. Pannellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether the Royal Institute of British Architects Declaration is still used when his Department puts work out to tender.
§ Mr. RipponWe adopt a procedure which has a similar purpose and effect. In 1955 all firms on the approved lists of the Government Departments likely to be invited to tender for works over£3,000 in value were asked to confirm, as a condition of remaining on the lists, that they did not subscribe to the practices condemned by the report of the Monopolies Commission on the Supply of Buildings in the Greater London area. Any new firm wishing to be put on Departments approved lists is asked to sign a similar undertaking.
§ Mr. PannellThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the R.I.B.A. Declaration grew out of the London Builders' Conference. Is he aware that his predecessor, now Lord Eccles, condemned that practice? Will he be good enough to put in the Library a copy of the new Declaration which he seeks so that we may look at it and compare it with the R.I.B.A. Declaration?
§ Mr. RipponThe hon. Gentleman has written to me and I will reply to him in more detail. I will make available a copy of the form of assurance which firms wishing to be put on approved lists have to sign.