§ Mr. ButterfillTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts for the maintenance of highways in Scotland have been put out to public tender; what proportion of the contracts now let on this basis have been won (i) by private contractors and (ii) by local authority consortia; and if he will make a statement. [11846]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 29 January 1996]: There have been eight contracts for the maintenance of trunk roads in Scotland that have been put out to public tender by the Scottish Office; three of the contracts have been awarded to local authority consortia; and the remaining five contracts are currently being assessed.