§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities obtain competitive tenders for painting and decoration under the terms of part III of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Department takes the view that painting and decorating work falls within the definition of construction or maintenance work to which the Act's provisions apply as has always been the intention, and is therefore subject to the competition regulations which my hon. Friend has made. Some local authorities have apparently acted on the basis that it does not. Determination of this issue must be a matter for the courts. I understand that the district auditor is preparing to initiate court proceedings against one of the local authorities involved.