Mr. GARDNERasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Middlesex County Council at its last meeting accepted the recommendation of its highways committee authorising the acceptance of a tender for surfacing with asphalte at 8s. 5d. per yard super; whether he is aware that the lowest tender was 7s. 4d. per yard; and whether, in view of the fact that the managing director of the successful firm is a member of the Middlesex County Council and also of the highways committee, and was present at both meetings, he will withhold 2006W payment of his proportion of the cost of this work until he has made the fullest investigations?
§ Mr. GOSLINGMy attention had not previously been drawn to this tender, but I have caused inquiries to be made, and am informed that the tender accepted by the Middlesex County Council was the lowest received for mastic asphalte, the material which, on the county surveyor's advice, it was considered desirable should be used on the road in question. I am advised that the price quoted and accepted is reasonably comparable with prices generally current for this kind of work. In these circumstances, there is no justification for withholding grants. In general, however, If have always held the opinion that the members of committees adjudicating on contracts should not have any personal interest in the decision.