§ 3. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what are the considerations which have caused the removal of construction firms, without their knowledge, from his Department's approved lists.
§ Mr. MellishAny firm wishing to be added to my Ministry's list of approved contractors will be asked to present details of work recently done, and to submit to technical inspection and financial viability.
Construction firms are removed from my Ministry's lists of approved contractors only when confidence is lost in them on grounds of unreliability, bad performance or financial instability. In these cases the firm will have been informed.
§ Mr. CampbellWhy have some firms which have been dropped from the list not been informed? This would obviate misunderstandings about their capabilities and about the type of work involved.
§ Mr. MellishMy experience of my contracts division is that it has a very honourable record. I think the hon. Gentleman has in mind a particular firm. I will not go into detail, except to say that I understand it remains on our list for general surfacing work but has not been included in the small specialist list for contracts for airfield paving work which is highly specialised. I have today written to the hon. Gentleman about it.