§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Energy if it is the policy of his Department to ensure that local contractors and operators are employed on any contracts at the St. Fergus gas and oil terminal which are being paid for by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many firms operating in the Banff and Buchan constituency have been invited to tender for the special contract under the management of British Gas at the St. Fergus gas and oil terminal which is being paid for by Her Majesty's Government;
(3) if he will have discussions with the chairman of British Gas on the methods used to prepare a tender list for the special project at the oil and gas terminal at St. Fergus which is being paid for by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what steps are being taken to ensure that once the special contract at the St. Fergus gas and oil terminal is awarded by British Gas as managing agent for his Department, locally based persons will be given priority in obtaining employment;
(5) if he has issued any instructions to British Gas as managing agent for a proposed contract at the St. Fergus gas and oil terminal regarding an approved list of contractors who will be invited to tender for the work which is being paid for by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithMy Department is negotiating a contract of the kind described with British Gas, and is being consulted by the corporation on the selection of tenderers for the main construction contract. My Department's approach to the selection process is consistent with general Government purchasing policy. I understand that the corporation employs local suppliers for its own projects wherever possible, subject to their technical and financial standing and their competitiveness, and that it intends to apply that policy in this case.