§ Mr. Marplesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the general policy of not publishing contract awards, by what criteria contract awards in building and civil engineering are published; and what plans he has for extending this practice.
§ Mr. TaverneThe disclosure of the value of firm-price building and civil engineering contracts follows a recommendation, welcomed by the construction industry, of the Banwell Committee on "The placing and Management of Contracts for Building and Civil Engineering work". Since each construction project is unique, disclosure jeopardises the interests of neither purchaser nor contractor. On the general policy, I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 15th July last.