§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the economic benefits, if any, obtained by local authorities and ratepayers from joint purchasing agreements made under the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970.
§ Mr. John SilkinLocal authorities are not required to provide my right hon. Friend with these details. But such information as I have suggests that worthwhile savings are being obtained by local authorities by the exercise of powers available to them under this Act.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the Layfield Committee's criticisms of the Joint Advisory Committee on Local Authority Purchasing and the Local Authorities Management Services and Computer Committee, he will make a statement on arrangements for monitoring the working and the economic effects of the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe Joint Advisory Committee on Local Authority Purchasing and the Local Authorities Management Services and Computer Committee are both organisations established by the local authority associations and have no direct connection with the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970. Any 93W decision on the need to review the workings of that Act must await further consideration of the Layfield Report.