HC Deb 18 February 1969 vol 778 c184
10. Mr. Ogden

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for competitive tendering for local authority housing projects, and particularly with the conditions imposed on the type of fuel to be used in such projects; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacColl

In Circular 79/67 my right hon. Friend gave advice to local authorities on their tender and contract procedures for building work. This advice is being followed by most, but not by all, authorities.

There is a prescribed minimum standard of heating for local authority housing but each local authority is free to select the type of installation and the fuel to be used.

Mr. Ogden

But is my hon. Friend aware that the City Corporation of Liverpool has a built-in antipathy to the use of solid fuel, and that the City Corporation of Manchester has on its council register a resolution specifically excluding the use of solid fuel in its housing projects? Yet there is a coal mine inside that corporation's boundary. How can there be competition if fuels are automatically excluded by council resolutions?

Mr. MacColl

Except in the case of the old and the handicapped, my right hon. Friend has done nothing to discourage the use of solid fuel.

Mr. Ogden

On a point of order. In view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.