HC Deb 01 February 1989 vol 146 cc286-7
7. Mr. Jack

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made towards competitive tendering for local government services in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Local authorities are now fully engaged in implementing the competition provisions of the Local Government Act 1988. Detailed implementation regulations were made in August 1988 and the first round of contracts have to be let by 1 August 1989.

Mr. Jack

Does my hon. Friend agree that negative attitudes to the benefits of competitive tendering are still being displayed by Opposition Members? Does he agree that such an attitude denies the Scottish people local services at lower prices? Does my hon. Friend have any evidence that the benefits of such tendering have penetrated the closed minds of Opposition Members?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I believe that there has been a change of attitude, as evidenced by the remarks of the president of COSLA, reported in The Scotsman of 5 January, who suggested: the best answer councils could give in response to that threat would be to win compulsory competitive tenders so that services would remain in-house. The president is quoted as saying: If that happens it will inject fresh confidence and life into local authorities and simultaneously disarm our critics. I believe that more and more hon. Members are coming round to that view.

Mr. Michael J. Martin

I put it to the Minister that Strathclyde region has an excellent lighting department, but because he has forced competitive tenders— [Interruption.] It is not funny. Because he forced the local authority to accept competitive tenders the night shift was taken off—in a week when a young girl in my constituency was raped and brutally beaten up. The lighting in the city of Glasgow can be out for as long as two days, particularly over a weekend. Does the Minister care more about competitive tenders than the safety of our women and children on the streets?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The hon. Gentleman must be quite clear that local authorities remain responsible for deciding the level of service they wish to deliver. It is for them to write into the tender specification the precise level of service that they wish to have implemented. The activities listed in the Act cost £300 million, so it is quite clear that the modest target of 10 per cent. savings would lead to savings of some £30 million a year which are well worth making.