§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give further details of the painting contract awarded to Smith Decorators (Newcastle) Limited of which Mr. Dan Smith was a director; and whether at any time this contract was in being, Mr. Dan 416W Smith was employed in Government service for which he received payment.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe contract ran from 25th May, 1967 to 12th July, 1968 when it was terminated because of the firm's unsatisfactory performance on this particular contract; and was for painting and redecorating Government premises in the city of Newcastle and the surrounding district. Mr. Dan Smith, at that time, held several appointments including the chairmanship of the Northern Economic Planning Council.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full details of the rules and regulations of the normal competition which were adopted when his Department awarded a £25,000 per annum painting contract to the firm of Smith Decorators (Newcastle) Limited during the period when Mr. Dan Smith, a director, held a State appointment; and whether he will publish a detailed list of all firms which tendered.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Department's rules and regulations with regard to competitive tendering are too extensive to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The method of tendering adopted in this case was to invite from 11 firms quotations in the form of percentages on or off standard rates for painting and redecorating as set out in a schedule. The offer of Smith Decorators (Newcastle) Limited was adjudged the lowest.
Following is the information:
- Gosforth Painters Ltd.
- A. Hector Grabham Ltd.
- J. J. Lowes.
- Nicholson & Ritchie (Newcastle) Ltd.
- W. Ramsey (Decorators) Ltd.
- Seddon (Stoke) Ltd.
- Smiths Decorators (Newcastle) Ltd.
- J. D. Tighe & Co. (Northern) Ltd.