§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what circumstances the contract for water pipes in the water supply installation in Nicosia, Cyprus, was recently placed with a firm which could not guarantee delivery; whether the lowest tender was accepted; whether the quality of the pipes accepted was in any respect superior to those quoted in the tender rejected; why there were resignations on the water board and local opinion over-ridden; and why the local authorities are now entering into a contract which offers no firm price or period of delivery.
§ Mr. LytteltonA contract for pipes for the distribution system was placed by the Nicosia Water Board on the advice of the water engineer to whom the Board had unanimously agreed to entrust the execution of the water supply scheme. The lowest tender was unacceptable because in the opinion of the water engineers the pipes offered were technically unsuitable. The tender accepted provides for variation of price in accordance with changes in costs of production, transport and insurance.
It also provides for deliveries to begin six months after the placing of the contract and to continue by regular shipments until completion in 24 months. This will keep the supplies of pipes in phase with the scheme.
The Nicosia Water Board consists of three official members, one of whom is 24W chairman and has a casting vote, and three members of the Municipal Council of Nicosia. Following differences of opinion about the technical suitability of the pipes offered, the municipal councillors absented themselves from the meeting of the Board at which the decision was finally taken to place the contract, and later offered to resign from the Board.