Midland Link Motorways (Hansard, 21 May 1980)

§ Mr. Rooker
asked the Minister of Transport if. in the current year, he has yet been asked to approve a negotiated tender for supervision of work on the Midland link motorways; and if so, whether the contract was awarded to the lowest tenderer on his Department's approved list.

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
No. I understand that it is the intention of West Midlands county council to obtain the services of temporary staff from a specialist inspection and testing firm to augment council staff engaged in supervision. Unlike a contract delegating part of it, responsibilities for supervision to outside consultants, this does not require my right hon. Friend's approval. The Department's regional office remains satisfied that the general arrangements for supervision are adequate and provided at reasonable cost and I have no reason or evidence to doubt that.

§ Mr. Rooker
asked the Minister of Transport how many and which contracts for work or supervision of work on the Midland link motorways have been on the basis of negotiated tenders in each of past three years; and if he will give cost details.

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
None.

§ Mr. Rooker
asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the firms he mentioned in his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr,Official Report, 23 April, column 198, as being on his Department's approved list of construction consultants sent to local authorities acting as his agents in respect of the Midland link motorways, and specify those approved to carry out inspection of work on the elevated sections or bridgeworks.
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§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
The Department does not circulate an approved list of construction consultants. The Department's list of firms capable of providing specialist and testing services is as follows:
BIE Anti Corrosion Ltd.
BIE Material Control Ltd.
British Inspecting Engineers Ltd.
Guthrie and Craig
Haggie Patterson
JB Painting Inspectors
Lloyd's Register Industrial Services
R. J. P. Nicklin & Co. Ltd.
Non-Destructive Testers Ltd.
Sandberg
Scientific & Technical Services
Solus Schall
R. H. Stanger Ltd.
Firms are approved to undertake particular tasks, as and when required, having regard, inter alia, to the nature of the work, the services offered and the cost.