§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Transport if, in order to prevent unfair competition from direct labour departments, he will refuse to approve road schemes of over £100,000 unless they have been advertised for contract.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFor trunk road schemes in excess of £100,000 it is my normal policy that the work should be undertaken by direct labour only if competitive tenders have been invited in the normal way and the estimate by the DLO is the most favourable. I have no control over the allocation of work by local authorities on their road schemes, but the Government will produce proposals in the Local Government (Planning and Land) Bill to expose direct labour departments to more competition in appropriate circumstances.