HC Deb 02 November 1998 vol 318 c308W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to repeal the present legislation in respect of compulsory competitive tendering; and what plans he has to introduce best value for local authority service delivery. [57677]

Mr. Raynsford

The Government are committed to introducing a new duty of best value for local authority functions, and abolishing compulsory competitive tendering (CCT), as soon as Parliamentary time is available. I cannot pre-empt the Queen's speech on the substance of the legislative programme for the next session of Parliament. Ahead of primary legislation, we have established a programme of best value pilot projects and we have relaxed existing CCT regulations to encourage all local authorities to adopt best value practices now.