§ Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) at what date he decided not to advertise building and construction contracts worth more than £400,000 in the local and trade Press ;
(2) how much money he expects to save in consequence of his decision not to advertise building and construction contracts worth more than £400,000 in the local and trade Press ;
(3) what steps he has taken to inform firms which normally tender for building and construction contracts to his Department that it is no longer his policy to advertise these contracts in the local and trade Press.
§ Mr. Barry Jones:There has been no change in Welsh Office policy on the invitation of tenders for building and civil engineering work. Firms invited to tender are selected from lists of contractors of known or ascertained financial standing and capability and not by public advertisement. Since 1st July 1973, however, the Welsh Office has been required to make known its intention of inviting ten- 136W ders for schemes costing over £415,000 to the Official Publications Office of the European Economic Community for publication in the Official Journal.
§ Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether it is an EEC requirement that building and construction contracts worth more than £400,000 may not be advertised in the local and trade Press.
§ Mr. Barry Jones:No, provided that publication does not precede dispatch of the notification required under the directives of the European Economic Community to the Official Publications Office of the Community.