§ 12. Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the construction contracts let directly by his Department is placed after competition.
§ Mr. LoveridgeI thank the Minister for that reply. Will he also please take further steps to ensure that all public authorities increase the proportion of works which they put out to competitive tender?
§ Mr. AmeryYes, Sir. This is our general approach to the problem. My hon. Friend will realise that there are certain jobs involving security and matters of a special nature which have to be given to particular contractors, and that the Banwell Report recommended that the best solution may sometimes rule out the most competitive. By and large we pursue the view, as the figures show, that the most competitive contract is the best.