§ Sir W. Elliottasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the fact that local authorities in the North-East of England are in some cases raising the limit on the value of contracts being put out to competitive tender, he will send out a circular to encourage the lowering of limits in order that spare capacity in the building industry might be utilised.
§ Mr. FreesonI think such matters are best left to the discretion of local authorities, subject to the advice in various existing circulars on the award of contracts without competition. In whatever manner contracts are awarded, the capacity of the building industry is used.