HC Deb 08 February 1978 vol 943 c618W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in enforcing the black list on those firms and bodies believed to have breached the pay norm.

Mr. Millan

My Department has not been inviting tenders for works or the supply of goods from firms which are in breach of the pay guidelines and not willing to renegotiate the settlement concerned.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of those Scottish firms which have been added to the so-called black list of firms believed to have breached the pay norm.

Mr. Millan

Such matters are confidential between the Government and the firms concerned.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to compensate Scottish firms for the expense involved in tendering for public works and local government contracts in cases where their tendering is made pointless by their having been put, without their knowledge, on the so-called black list.

Mr. Milan

No. Firms in breach of the pay guidelines and unwilling to renegotiate the settlement concerned are told that the Government will not invite tenders from them.