HC Deb 01 June 1965 vol 713 cc204-5W
Mr. Merlyn Rees

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the criteria to be taken into account before firms are admitted to the approved list of road construction contractors who may submit tenders for trunk road contracts; and what administrative steps are taken to ensure that such an approved list is effectively reappraised.

Mr. Tom Fraser

Applicants are admitted to the Ministry list of firms eligible to be selected to tender for trunk road contracts when they have given the assurance required by the Fair Wages Resolution of the House and have satisfied the Department that their financial and technical resources are sufficient and that they are generally suitable. Trunk road contracts differ widely in size and nature. When the firms to be invited to tender for a particular contract are being selected, regard is had to the size and nature of contracts which they have satisfactorily completed and also to the volume and location of work they have already on hand. The capabilities of firms are kept under review; reports are called for of their performance on Ministry contracts and other relevant information about the activities of firms on the Ministry list is suitably recorded and taken into account as necessary.