§ 36. Mr. Murtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received from the building and construction industries concerning Circular 50/65 issued by his Department on 16th November, 1965; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. CrossmanI have received one written representation criticising a reference in the Circular to the Banwell Committee report. The criticism is in my view misconceived.
§ 37. Mr. Murtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he will take to prevent local authorities from abandoning altogether the practice of putting their building and construction contracts out to competitive tender, in view of the issue of Circular 50/65.
§ Mr. CrossmanAn increasing proportion of council houses are built, with appropriate safeguards, under negotiated contracts following the development of industrialised methods and modern forms of contracting. The advice on direct labour in the circular confirms this trend, but it made no suggestion that there shall be a complete abandonment of competitive tendering.