§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend section 17 of the Local Government Act 1988 to co-ordinate procedures for the award of public works contracts as set out in the European Community draft directive on public works contracts (COM(89)141); and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ridley[holding answer 22 June 1989]: The implications of the agreement reached in the internal market council on 14 June on a directive to amend the EC public works directive are currently being examined, but it would not appear at this stage that an amendment to section 17 of the Local Government Act 1988 is required.