§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what action he is taking to decrease the amount of wasteful competition among firms in Scotland making tenders for elaborate contracts in the building industry;
(2) what action he is taking to decrease the amount of wasteful competition among firms in making tenders for elaborate contracts in the building industry.
§ Mr. PrenticeSelective tendering has been the Ministry's own policy for many years. This provides for competition between a limited number of contractors according to size and type of project. Following the recommendations of the Ban-well Committee, my Department has published guidance to local authorities on methods of selective tendering, and is stimulating interest in other procedures by the distribution through Government Departments and professional institutions of a Research and Development Paper on (i) the early selection of a contractor with subsequent negotiation of a tender and (ii) serial tendering.