HC Deb 06 May 1969 vol 783 cc47-8W
47. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he accepts recommendation 34(a) and 43(A) of the Report of the Joint Review Body on Local Authority Purchasing that the Government should give priority to introducing legislation on local government purchasing; and when such legislation will be introduced by the Government.

Mr. MacColl

The Government accept that legislation is desirable and a Bill will be introduced as soon as time can be found for it.

48. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he has taken, and what results have ensued, on recommendation 43(c) of the Report of the Joint Review Body on Local Authority Purchasing, which called on him to encourage local authorities to make further use of existing powers or to combine together in order to obtain better and more efficient local government purchasing.

Mr. MacColl

Since the recommendations in paragraph 43(c) of the Report are addressed to both the Government Departments concerned and the local authority associations, my right hon. Friend wants first to discuss them with the associations, but I understand they are not quite ready for this.