HC Deb 07 March 1978 vol 945 cc573-4W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 28th February, column 133, he has not consulted the Joint Contracts Tribunal about his proposed new counter-inflation clause, but has only told the Tribunal of it; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) whether, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 28th February, column 133, he will give an assurance that he has no plans to seek to alter unilaterally the standard form of building contract drawn up by the Joint Contracts Tribunal whether for National Health Service work or for local authority work; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Shore

The Government draft of the clause reflecting incomes policy for use with the standard form of building contract is required for use immediately. Consultation with the Joint Contracts Tribunal was not possible due to the time factor. The Government have no plans to alter the standard form other than to incorporate the new additional clause in the conditions of contract let mainly for health services work. The question whether local authorities should be invited to adopt the clause is under consideration.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 28th February, columns 132–3, how many contractors have been issued with tender documents by his Department containing the new contract conditions; how many have accepted the conditions and how many have refused to accept them.

Mr. Shore

In the two weeks up to 3rd March, the Property Services Agency issued 1,508 invitations to tender for construction work containing the new conditions; in a substantial number of cases tenders were being reinvited. It is too early for many of the tenders to have been returned but so far 197 replies have been received, 104 of which accepted the clause.