§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that adequate procedures are in use for the comparison of costs between direct labour departments and private contractors; whether he has considered the report on this subject prepared by a working party set up by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy; and whether he will issue a circular to local authorities recommending the procedures set out in that report.
§ Mr. FreesonA departmental working party is to be set up to review the organisation and operation of local authority direct labour departments, including tendering and accounting procedures. The working party will consider the report published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy on Direct Works Undertakings—Accounting.