§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Health (1) what advice he has given to regional hospital boards about liaison with regard to building projects so that specialised building and design teams will not be disbanded on the completion of the project; and what request he has made to be kept informed of progress in this regard.
(2) what advice he has given to regional hospital boards about the desirability of full integration of design and production, and of specialist mechanical and electrical services, at an early stage of building work; and what requests he has made to be kept informed of progress in this regard.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonContinuous programmes of work which would be necessary to enable builders and designers to remain in association on the completion of a project, could only be arranged at the cost of infringing the principle of open competition for public contracts. The planning procedures issued by my Department as guidance to Boards encourage integration of building and engineering design and, in suitable cases, contractor participation from the earliest stages of planning. A compendium of building assemblies has also been compiled and issued to Boards as a result of advice received from manufacturers on the design and specification of individual items. I am kept fully informed of progress on both planning and construction of all major hospital projects.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to regional hospital boards regarding the desirability of serial contracting of building and construction work; whether he is 7W satisfied with the progress in this regard; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonSerial contracting requires continuity of work of a similar character. I am currently discussing with Regional Hospital Boards the co-ordination of their requirements for residential accommodation with the aim of facilitating serial contracts for this type of work, and will continue to encourage Boards to adopt this method wherever appropriate for hospital work.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Health what action he has taken to encourage regional hospital boards to reduce the number of building firms which they invite to tender for specialist heating, ventilating and electrical work; and with what result.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have recommended that regional hospital boards invite tenders from no more than six contractors whether for building or specialist engineering work. A recent enquiry confirms that this advice is generally being followed.