§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the awarding of Government or local authority plumbing contracts to contractors who do not have British Standard Institute BS5750 approval or its European equivalent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoWithin the constraints imposed by public procurement legislation, each Government Department and local authority may set its own criteria for the selection of plumbing contractors provided it is done in a non-discriminatory manner. A contractor that has achieved BS5750 certification will have demonstrated it has a high standard quality control system. That may be a factor of which account is taken in the choice of contractor.