§ 15. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Power whether he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board that it should allow suppliers to compete on level terms for all contracts.
§ 29. Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to the National Coal 1526 Board, when placing contracts, not to show discrimination in favour of its subsidiary companies.
§ Mr. GunterNo, Sir. I am informed by the Board that contracts are open to competitive tender and that orders are placed on commercial principles.
§ Sir G. SinclairIn view of the complaints made by the Swedes against the National Coal Board of discrimination against E.F.T.A. partners, would the right hon. Gentleman agree to give a general direction to the N.C.B. to allow competitive tendering for all opencast and underground mining systems as well as for all other contracts?
§ Mr. GunterSuch a direction is not necessary, as I said in my Answer. The N.C.B. has assured me that its contracts are open to competitive tender and that its orders are placed on commercial principles. If the hon. Gentleman has any specific cases in mind, I suggest that he writes to Lord Robens.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanIs the Minister aware that there has been considerable disquiet over this issue, particularly in relation to instances reported in the Press of cases of open competitive tendering not having been found to be the rule and that the Chairman of the N.C.B. had to make a special exception in one case and drew attention to the lack of any general direction?
§ Mr. GunterI can only repeat what the Chairman of the Board has told me. If hon. Members have specific instances in mind I suggest that it would be proper for them to write to the Chairman.
§ Sir Harmar NichollsAlthough the right hon. Gentleman said that contracts are open to competitive tendering can he go further and say that the lowest tender is accepted?
§ Mr. GunterI do not think that that is a principle which is generally accepted even in private enterprise.