§ 65. Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress towards the implementation by local authorities of competitive tendering for local authority services.
§ Mr. ChopeWith the exception of parish councils—which are being consulted separately—all English local authorities have been informed of my right hon. Friend's decisions on the latest dates by which they must expose their services to competition under the Local Government Act 1988, I welcome the fact that a significant number are seeking tenders earlier than these dates, as this will hasten the delivery of cost savings to ratepayers.