HC Deb 02 February 1994 vol 236 c758W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the amount of money for contract administration and monitoring that will be added to client costs under the proposed full competition for local authority highway works in England; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

I expect that any additional costs incurred by local authorities will, on average, be more than recouped by the efficiency and financial benefits gained.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the details of the special arrangements for emergency work referred to in the announcement of the introduction of full competition for local authority highway works in England; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

I am consulting the local authority associations on a proposal that emergency works should continue to remain exempt from competition requirements. This would give local authorities maximum flexibility in responding to unpredictable situations.