§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will list the services provided by the National Building Agency which are also provided by consultancy firms or similar private organisations; and whether it is his policy that an agency which receives grant from public funds should undertake such activities in direct competition with private enterprise;
(2) why the National Building Agency offers management consultancy services in direct competition with the provision made by a number of private organisations in the construction industry; and whether the salaries of the consultants are met out of Government grant-in-aid.
§ Mr. AmeryThe following list illustrates the consultancy services provided by the National Building Agency
Project co-ordination of capital works programmes;Reports on management structure and organisation of professional offices and building organisations;Installation of incentive schemes for maintenance work;Assistance to local authorities in the declaration of general improvement areas;Product planning reports for producers of building components for the public sector.Advice on the application of design disciplines to housing.The agency does not normally compete directly with private consultancies as it usually offers specialised services, often in response to specific invitations from clients, based on techniques developed in collaboration with public authorities in the course of advisory work aimed at improved efficiency in building. The salaries of the agency's staff employed on such work are met from fees.
The future of the National Building Agency is under review.
§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the proposed grant-in-aid for the National Building Agency in 1971–72; and what detailed control he exercises over the expenditure of this money.
§ Mr. AmeryThe National Building Agency's grant-in-aid for 1971–72 is £454,000, which includes £4,000 from the Northern Ireland Government. The annual grant-in-aid is assessed on the basis of estimates of expenditure on the270W several areas of activity undertaken by the agency. The Department's prior consent is needed for any significant variation from these estimates; for any new services; or for any long term arrangements implying substantial financial commitments. Within these limits the agency has full responsibility for the way in which it uses grant-in-aid.